What does Rhys mean?
Rhys means “ardour” or “enthusiasm” in Welsh.
What does Eirian mean?
Eirian means “bright” or “beautiful” in Welsh.
Rhys vs Eirian
Which is more popular?
Rhys is more popular than Eirian today: about 778 US babies were given the name Rhys in 2025, compared with 7 named Eirian.
| Rhys | Eirian | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Ardor, enthusiasm | Bright, beautiful |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | REES | AY-ree-an |
| Syllables | 1 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1929 | 2024 |
| Peak year | 2024 (952) | 2024 (14) |
| In 2025 | 778 | 7 |
| Trend | Rising | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Rhys
Eirian
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Rhys | Eirian |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 4,857 | 21 |
| 2010s | 5,915 | 0 |
| 2000s | 2,215 | 0 |
| 1990s | 696 | 0 |
| 1980s | 314 | 0 |
| 1970s | 86 | 0 |
| 1960s | 111 | 0 |
| 1950s | 105 | 0 |
| 1940s | 27 | 0 |
| 1920s | 8 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Rhys or Eirian more popular?
Rhys is more popular than Eirian today: about 778 US babies were given the name Rhys in 2025, compared with 7 named Eirian.
What is the difference between Rhys and Eirian?
Rhys means Ardor, enthusiasm (Welsh origin), while Eirian means Bright, beautiful (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Rhys or Eirian?
In US records, Rhys first appears in 1929 and Eirian in 2024, so Rhys has the longer recorded history.