Reese

Reese is an English-language spelling of the Welsh name Rhys, traditionally associated with ardor or enthusiasm. Its meaning belongs to that Welsh name history rather than to an unrelated English word. Reece and Rees are other spellings with a similar sound.

Actress Reese Witherspoon gives the spelling a familiar association for girls, while the name also has an established masculine history. The one-syllable REES pronunciation is the same sound English speakers often use for Rhys, though Reese makes the vowel sound more apparent on the page. Families choosing between the forms may weigh Welsh heritage, a family spelling, and ease of pronunciation rather than expecting a different meaning from each version.