[Opinions] Rhys, Reece, Reese?
What are your feelings on the name Rhys? My husband and I are considering it for our baby boy due in April. We have a daughter named Heidi.
People have told me it feels/looks/sounds incomplete as Rhys, and that he'd incessantly be called "rice", hence their affinity for the other spellings. Any other feelings to help balance these views? I personally adore the name, but need to get my husband on board a little more.
People have told me it feels/looks/sounds incomplete as Rhys, and that he'd incessantly be called "rice", hence their affinity for the other spellings. Any other feelings to help balance these views? I personally adore the name, but need to get my husband on board a little more.
Replies
I like it, though I think it's a bit insubstantial (especially spelled Reese/Reece - I think of the peanut butter cups). I actually think Rhys looks way more distinguished and complete than Reece / Reese, although I do think it'll lend itself more to mispronunciation, at least in the U.S. However, with actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers, maybe people are more aware of the pronunciation of Rhys? I'd take an informal poll. Just write "Rhys" on a card and ask people you know how they would pronounce that name. If you get a lot of "rice," take that into consideration. However, I think most people frequently have to spell or pronounce their names for strangers, so it's not too big of a deal.
Assuming you're in the US, most of the birth announcement lists posted on here from the US contain so many weirdly spelt names right now that I think that by the time little Rhys goes to school, it's going to be standard practice for teachers to ask children how their names are pronounced. Also, Rhys jumped 97 places from 2008 to 2009 in the US charts, so there's a good chance there'll be more of them around in the future.
I love this name, but the Reece and Reese spellings are silly and remind me of girls or peanut butter cups. Rhys is a handsome and regal spelling, and the ORIGINAL spelling. He won't be called Rice, especially when he is introduced as "REESE". I would use this name in a heartbeat if DH would let me. But if I had to spell it one of the other ways, I would refuse to use it altogether.
This message was edited 1/8/2011, 8:44 AM
I love Rhys (but only the original spelling). Go for it. If people don't know the pronunciation right off the bat, educate them. Consider it a public service. ;-)
Honestly, I've known people with the simplest names that were crucified on a semi-regular basis. I don't know if others can't read or they just don't pay enough attention, but in my view, it's easier to learn something new than to unlearn error. The Rhys spelling is relatively new in the US (thanks to Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and as far as I know, there have been no other pronunciations for this spelling.
Honestly, I've known people with the simplest names that were crucified on a semi-regular basis. I don't know if others can't read or they just don't pay enough attention, but in my view, it's easier to learn something new than to unlearn error. The Rhys spelling is relatively new in the US (thanks to Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and as far as I know, there have been no other pronunciations for this spelling.
Ooo, very nice pick. And it sounds great with Heidi. I think Rhys is very nice and I can't imagine why people would pronounce it "rice". Even if they did, I guess, it would only take one correction and I'm sure they'd catch on. I'm not such a fan of the other spellings, as they are a little close to Reese peanut butter cups. :o)
Rhys
Definitely this spelling.
Personally, I'm getting a bit sick of the name because it's so common in the UK now. I volunteer with visually impaired children, there are 3 Rhyses in the group of about 15.
Definitely this spelling.
Personally, I'm getting a bit sick of the name because it's so common in the UK now. I volunteer with visually impaired children, there are 3 Rhyses in the group of about 15.
Rhys!
It just looks classic\educated. I know some people will say it wrong every name gets said wrong sometime and why dumb it down for other peoples benefit? I myself once though Rhys was pronounced like "rise" (as in sun-rise) but it only took once to cure that. Anyways for some reason I want to pronounce Reece like "Ree-see" and Reese just reminds my of Reese's Pieces (which are good but not the best reference for a name). No matter what you choose, Good Luck!
It just looks classic\educated. I know some people will say it wrong every name gets said wrong sometime and why dumb it down for other peoples benefit? I myself once though Rhys was pronounced like "rise" (as in sun-rise) but it only took once to cure that. Anyways for some reason I want to pronounce Reece like "Ree-see" and Reese just reminds my of Reese's Pieces (which are good but not the best reference for a name). No matter what you choose, Good Luck!
I don't care for the name, but I urge you to use the Rhys spelling. Reece and Reese are dumbing it down, and Reese in particular makes me think of peanut butter cups. If anyone is stupid enough to look at Rhys and think it's pronounced rice, then it will only take just one correction to set them straight. I just hate dumbed down spellings. Dumbing things down just encourages people to be dumb.
Rhys - it's the proper spelling.
Rhys is one of my favorite names, and only this spelling does it for me.
Reese seems too much like Reese's Pieces and the actress Reese Witherspoon makes this spelling seem more feminine. In fact, a lot of people consider the name gender neutral (I don't. It's strictly masculine in my book.) Rhys would probably be more distinctly male.
I never even considered pronouncing Rhys like Rice and I don't really see how that might be someone's first instinct, but then again I live in my own little world.
Rhys is a strong, unique name that I think your son would be proud to have.
Reese seems too much like Reese's Pieces and the actress Reese Witherspoon makes this spelling seem more feminine. In fact, a lot of people consider the name gender neutral (I don't. It's strictly masculine in my book.) Rhys would probably be more distinctly male.
I never even considered pronouncing Rhys like Rice and I don't really see how that might be someone's first instinct, but then again I live in my own little world.
Rhys is a strong, unique name that I think your son would be proud to have.
I like Reece the best. Rhys might be called "rice". Reese makes me think of Reese's Pieces, and I don't like how many people are using it on girls.
I love Rhys, but just this spelling! Reece and Reese honestly I feel are kind of dumbed-down versions of Rhys, which is the original. Sure, he will probably be called "rice" by some people, but they just need to be told once and then most people will get it right.
Ditto.
Just because some people may mispronounce it as "rice" [though I doubt they would here], there's no need to change the spelling. Reece and Reese look kind of... uneducated.
Just because some people may mispronounce it as "rice" [though I doubt they would here], there's no need to change the spelling. Reece and Reese look kind of... uneducated.