Rice is an English surname of occupational origin, derived from the Middle English word 'ris', meaning 'rice'. It was likely given to a merchant who dealt in rice or someone who lived near a paddy field where rice was grown. The surname Rice is most commonly found in England and Ireland, with smaller populations in Scotland and Wales. Some notable figures bearing this surname include American basketball player Bill Rice and Irish playwright John Millington Synge, whose stage name was simply 'Synge'.
"The name Rice experienced its peak popularity during the early to mid-20th century, with a significant spike in births occurring between 1916 and 1923. However, there's been a steady decline since then, with fewer than 10 births per year recorded after 1959."