UK boy's name
Reeves
A name of English origin meaning "watchman" or "bailiff".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Reeves is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Reeves popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4432, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 4 births.
This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2002 to 2008. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 7 living people in the UK are called Reeves. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2009 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Reeves ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 4 boys were registered as Reeves.
- • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have Reeves as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4432
2008
Births in 2008
3
Latest year
Peak year
2002
4 births
Estimated living
7
2026
Meaning
What does Reeves mean?
The given name Reeves has its origins in the Old English language and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the word "gerefa," which means a reeve or a guardian of lands and properties. The name's earliest known spelling was "Reve," which later evolved into "Reeve" and "Reeves."
In medieval England, a reeve was a prominent figure responsible for overseeing the administrative affairs of a manor or an estate on behalf of a lord or a nobleman. The name was initially used as an occupational surname, referring to individuals who held this position. Over time, it transitioned into a given name, particularly among families with a connection to the landed gentry or those involved in estate management.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Reeves can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This historical document includes references to individuals bearing the surname "Reve."
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Reeves. One such individual was John Reeves (1608-1658), an English botanist and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of plants and their classification. Another prominent bearer of the name was Tapping Reeve (1744-1823), an American lawyer and legal scholar who founded the Litchfield Law School, one of the first law schools in the United States.
In the realm of literature, Reeves is associated with the English poet and novelist Hubert Reeves (1874-1944), known for his works exploring rural life and the beauty of the English countryside. The name also has connections to the arts, with American actor, director, and producer Reeves Tait (1879-1951) making a significant impact on the early stages of American cinema.
Another notable figure with the name Reeves is Sir John Reeves Ellerman (1909-1973), a British businessman and philanthropist who inherited the shipping empire founded by his father and later became a prominent philanthropist, supporting various charitable causes.
These are just a few examples of historical figures who have carried the name Reeves, reflecting its enduring presence across various fields and eras.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Reeves over time
The chart below shows babies named Reeves registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Reeves, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2008, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Reeves by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Reeves was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3534 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Reeves
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Reeves: questions and answers
How popular is the name Reeves in the UK right now?
In 2008, Reeves was ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Reeves most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 4 babies registered as Reeves in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Reeves?
A name of English origin meaning "watchman" or "bailiff".
How many people are called Reeves in the UK?
A total of 7 babies have been registered as Reeves across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.