What does Reese mean?
From the Welsh Rhys, “ardour” or “enthusiasm.”
What does Gwen mean?
Gwen means “white,” “fair” or “blessed” in Welsh.
Reese vs Gwen
Which is more popular?
Reese is more popular than Gwen today: about 1,631 US babies were given the name Reese in 2025, compared with 384 named Gwen.
| Reese | Gwen | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Ardour, enthusiasm | White, fair, blessed |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | REESS | GWEN |
| Syllables | 1 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1924 | 1890 |
| Peak year | 2012 (2,459) | 1959 (942) |
| In 2025 | 1,631 | 384 |
| Trend | Declining | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Reese
Gwen
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Reese | Gwen |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 10,386 | 2,113 |
| 2010s | 20,182 | 2,817 |
| 2000s | 13,824 | 1,453 |
| 1990s | 372 | 512 |
| 1980s | 0 | 1,071 |
| 1970s | 0 | 2,753 |
| 1960s | 0 | 5,961 |
| 1950s | 5 | 6,780 |
| 1940s | 0 | 4,050 |
| 1930s | 0 | 2,808 |
| 1920s | 6 | 1,337 |
| 1910s | 0 | 716 |
| 1900s | 0 | 186 |
| 1890s | 0 | 60 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Reese or Gwen more popular?
Reese is more popular than Gwen today: about 1,631 US babies were given the name Reese in 2025, compared with 384 named Gwen.
What is the difference between Reese and Gwen?
Reese means Ardour, enthusiasm (Welsh origin), while Gwen means White, fair, blessed (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Reese or Gwen?
In US records, Reese first appears in 1924 and Gwen in 1890, so Gwen has the longer recorded history.