UK boy's name
Regis
A Latin name meaning "regal" or "royal".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Regis is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Regis popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4608, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 3 births.
This profile covers 12 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2001 to 2020. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 12 living people in the UK are called Regis. 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 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Regis ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 3 boys were registered as Regis.
- • About 12 living people in the UK are estimated to have Regis as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4608
2020
Births in 2020
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
3 births
Estimated living
12
2026
Meaning
What does Regis mean?
The name Regis is derived from the Latin word "rex", meaning "king". It dates back to ancient Roman times and was commonly used as a name for those of royal or noble lineage.
During the Roman era, the name Regis was sometimes given to male children born into the imperial family or those of high social standing. It carried connotations of power, authority, and leadership within Roman culture.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Regis can be found in the writings of the Roman historian Tacitus, who mentioned a prominent figure named Regis who lived in the 1st century AD. Additionally, the name appears in various historical records and inscriptions from that period.
In the Middle Ages, the name Regis gained popularity across Europe, particularly in regions with strong Roman Catholic traditions. It was often associated with religious figures and saints, such as Saint Regis, a 17th-century French Jesuit priest known for his missionary work in Canada.
One notable historical figure bearing the name Regis was Regis Philbin (1931-2020), an American television host and actor best known for hosting popular shows like "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee" and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire".
Another famous Regis was Regis Toomey (1892-1991), an American actor who appeared in numerous films during the golden age of Hollywood. He is particularly remembered for his roles in westerns and crime dramas.
In the world of literature, Regis Debray (born 1940) is a French philosopher and theorist known for his works on semiotics, media studies, and political philosophy. He was a prominent figure in the intellectual circles of 1960s France.
Regis Wargnier (born 1948) is a French film director and screenwriter who gained international recognition for his 1992 film "Indochine", which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Regis Philbin, Regis Toomey, Regis Debray, and Regis Wargnier are just a few examples of prominent individuals throughout history who have borne the name Regis, a name with roots in ancient Roman culture and connotations of royalty and leadership.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Regis over time
The chart below shows babies named Regis registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Regis, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Regis by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Regis 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4608 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4632 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3734 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Regis
- 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
Regis: questions and answers
How popular is the name Regis in the UK right now?
In 2020, Regis was ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Regis most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 3 babies registered as Regis in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Regis?
A Latin name meaning "regal" or "royal".
How many people are called Regis in the UK?
A total of 12 babies have been registered as Regis across the 4 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.