Reese hit the top 1000 girls baby names in the year 2000 thanks in part to the growing popularity and exposure of actress Reese Witherspoon throughout the 1990s. But the name itself actually has an interesting history.
Reese is actually the Americanized version of the traditionally male Welch name, Rhys, which means “enthusiasm” or “fiery”. Boys who are given this name either use the original spelling or Reece but the female version of this name, Reese, is the most popular of the three.
Reese is a fun, strong name that’s a little different without being too unorthodox. Because of that, you can pair it with just about any middle name to give it a twist of your own. Here are some ideas.
The Long and Short of It
Because Reese is a short name with only one syllable, you can really play around with the length of the middle name to change the flow. Your last name should be taken into account somewhat, too.
For example, if you have a short last name of only one or two syllables, choose a longer middle name. Or, if you have a long name that’s exceptionally long, choosing a short middle name might sound better.
If you’re looking for long middle names that pair nicely with Reese, try Reese Alexandria, Reese Evangeline, or Reese Isadora, or Reese Calliope. Looking for something short and sweet? Consider Reese Belle, Reese Sloane, Reese Lane, or Reese Greer.
Accent the Consonant...
One of the reasons that Reese has climbed in popularity is because it’s a vowel-heavy name, which is currently a big trend in girls names.
That said, it doesn’t start and end with a vowel like some of the top names do which is why choose a name that echoes the beginning R sound really balances the name and helps with flow.
While you can always go for another awesome name that starts with an R, like Reese Riley, Reese Rachel, or Reese Ridley, choosing a name with an R sound in the middle is one way to really tie the two names together.
Try Reese Aurora, Reese Harper, Reese Miranda, Reese Zara, or Reese Irina.
… or Go Heavy on the Vowels
Vowel sounds are popular, why not stick with them?
Because Reese starts with such a hard consonant, using a middle name that’s vowel-heavy actually works quite well as far as flow and the overall feel of the name. Plus, there are so many options to choose from, both long and short!
Try pairing Reese with other short, vowel-heavy names like Reese Ava, Reese Esme, Reese Ilsa, or Reese Io. Looking for something longer?
There’s Reese Adalaide, Reese Elodie, Reese Emery, or Reese Octavia.
Go Welsh
While the spelling may have changed, the name Reese it rooted in the Welsh language which is interesting and beautiful.
If you want something truly original that gives a nod to the name’s heritage, try something Welsh?
Some great options are Reese Aderyn (which means bird), Reese Gwen or Reese Wynne (blessed), or Reese Emlyn which means (to excel).
There are also a lot of Welsh names that are a little peculiar and any one of them would be a conversation starter.
How about Reese Lowri (Laurel), Reese Rhianwen (maiden), Reese Addfwyn (gentle), or Reese Enfys (rainbow)?
Stay Traditional
Because Reese has the feel of a more modern, trendy name, pairing it with something traditional and elegant creates a nice balance. Try something short like Resse Marie, Reese Lynn, or Reese Ida to still keep a modern feel or go with something more regal like Reese Victoria, Reese Elizabeth, or Rhys Anastasia.
You can also go with names that were popular a few decades ago to give it a bit of a retro feel. Try Reese Patricia, Reese Karen, Reese Stephanie, Reese Jessica, Reese Nicole, Reese Brittany, or Reese Abigail.
Another popular route to take with middle names is to use the name of a close relative and, since Reese has male variants, you can surely pair it with a male middle name for your daughter. Or, you can even consider maiden names in your family.
Believe it or not, Reese is actually Reese Witherspoon’s middle name. Her full name is Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon. Reese was actually her mother’s maiden name.
The Right Fit
Ultimately, the middle name you choose adds a little extra personality but the cool thing about a first name like Reese is it’s already full or personality. The name literally means “fiery” and it truly stands out.
That’s one of the reasons why there are so many ways to go when picking a middle name for Reese. No matter what you choose, your little girl’s name will have a strong, slightly playful feel that the right middle name can truly enhance.
