Reece is a given name of Welsh origin, meaning "ardor" or "enthusiasm." It is derived from the Welsh word "rhos," which means "upsurge" or "spurt." The name Reece has been used as both a boys' and girls' name in recent years.
The earliest known usage of the name Reece was as a surname, which originated as an Anglicized form of the Welsh name Rhys. Rhys was a popular name among medieval Welsh nobility, and it is believed that many of the early Reese families were descended from this ancient line.
Over time, Reece began to be used as a given name in its own right, particularly in Wales and other parts of Britain. In recent decades, its use has spread internationally, with Reece now being found on baby name lists around the world.
Some notable people named Reece include American basketball player Jamal Crawford, Australian actor Ryan Kwanten, and British singer-songwriter Reece Mastin. However, despite its increasing popularity, Reece remains a relatively uncommon name compared to some other choices today.
From the provided statistics, it's clear that the name Reece peaked in popularity between 1999 and 2006, with over 250 births each year during this period. However, there has been a steady decline since then, with fewer than 180 births annually from 2010 onwards. The total number of births with the name Reece over these years is 4591.