What does Rhys mean?
Rhys means “ardour” or “enthusiasm” in Welsh.
What does Bryn mean?
Bryn means “hill” in Welsh.
Rhys vs Bryn
Which is more popular?
Rhys is more popular than Bryn today: about 778 US babies were given the name Rhys in 2025, compared with 12 named Bryn.
| Rhys | Bryn | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Ardor, enthusiasm | Hill |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | REES | BRIN |
| Syllables | 1 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1929 | 1947 |
| Peak year | 2024 (952) | 1990 (45) |
| In 2025 | 778 | 12 |
| Trend | Rising | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Rhys
Bryn
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Rhys | Bryn |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 4,857 | 83 |
| 2010s | 5,915 | 153 |
| 2000s | 2,215 | 162 |
| 1990s | 696 | 261 |
| 1980s | 314 | 295 |
| 1970s | 86 | 181 |
| 1960s | 111 | 132 |
| 1950s | 105 | 54 |
| 1940s | 27 | 8 |
| 1920s | 8 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Rhys or Bryn more popular?
Rhys is more popular than Bryn today: about 778 US babies were given the name Rhys in 2025, compared with 12 named Bryn.
What is the difference between Rhys and Bryn?
Rhys means Ardor, enthusiasm (Welsh origin), while Bryn means Hill (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Rhys or Bryn?
In US records, Rhys first appears in 1929 and Bryn in 1947, so Rhys has the longer recorded history.