What does Rhys mean?
Rhys means “ardour” or “enthusiasm” in Welsh.
What does Emrys mean?
Emrys is the Welsh form of Ambrose, from the Greek for “immortal.”
Rhys vs Emrys
Which is more popular?
Rhys is more popular than Emrys today: about 778 US babies were given the name Rhys in 2025, compared with 157 named Emrys.
| Rhys | Emrys | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Ardor, enthusiasm | Immortal |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | REES | EM-ris |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1929 | 1997 |
| Peak year | 2024 (952) | 2024 (185) |
| In 2025 | 778 | 157 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Rhys
Emrys
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Rhys | Emrys |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 4,857 | 741 |
| 2010s | 5,915 | 542 |
| 2000s | 2,215 | 22 |
| 1990s | 696 | 5 |
| 1980s | 314 | 0 |
| 1970s | 86 | 0 |
| 1960s | 111 | 0 |
| 1950s | 105 | 0 |
| 1940s | 27 | 0 |
| 1920s | 8 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Rhys or Emrys more popular?
Rhys is more popular than Emrys today: about 778 US babies were given the name Rhys in 2025, compared with 157 named Emrys.
What is the difference between Rhys and Emrys?
Rhys means Ardor, enthusiasm (Welsh origin), while Emrys means Immortal (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Rhys or Emrys?
In US records, Rhys first appears in 1929 and Emrys in 1997, so Rhys has the longer recorded history.