NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Rhodri

A Welsh masculine given name derived from Old Welsh "rhodri", meaning "lord, great ruler".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Rhodri is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rhodri popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1162, with 24 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 59 births.

This profile covers 835 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. 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 41% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 828 living people in the UK are called Rhodri. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Rhodri ranked #1162 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 24 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 59 boys were registered as Rhodri.
  • About 828 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rhodri as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#1162

2024

Births in 2024

24

Latest year

Peak year

1998

59 births

Estimated living

828

2026

Meaning

What does Rhodri mean?

The name Rhodri has its origins in the Welsh language and culture, dating back to the early medieval period. It is derived from the Old Welsh word "rhodri," which means "great wanderer" or "traveler." The name is closely associated with the ancient Britons and the Welsh kingdom of Gwynedd.

In the 9th century, Rhodri the Great, also known as Rhodri ap Merfyn (c. 820-878), was a prominent ruler of Gwynedd in northern Wales. He is considered one of the most influential figures in early Welsh history, as he helped to establish a unified Welsh kingdom and played a significant role in the resistance against Anglo-Saxon expansion.

Another notable figure with the name Rhodri was Rhodri ap Hywel (c. 920-953), a King of Gwynedd who reigned in the mid-10th century. He is remembered for his efforts to consolidate power and defend his kingdom against Viking raids and the growing influence of the Anglo-Saxons.

In the 12th century, Rhodri ab Owain Gwynedd (c. 1175-1195) was a prince of Gwynedd and a claimant to the throne. His life was marked by struggles for power and conflicts with his rivals, reflecting the turbulent political landscape of medieval Wales.

Moving forward in time, Rhodri Morgan (born 1939) was a prominent Welsh politician who served as the First Minister of Wales from 2000 to 2009. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the Welsh Assembly and the devolution of powers to Wales.

Another notable figure is Rhodri Marsden (born 1975), a British writer and columnist for publications such as The Independent and Wired UK. He has written extensively on technology, culture, and various aspects of modern life.

While the name Rhodri has its roots in ancient Welsh history, it continues to be used today, carrying the cultural heritage and significance of its origins. The name has been borne by rulers, princes, and influential figures throughout the centuries, reflecting its enduring legacy within the Welsh tradition.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Rhodri over time

The chart below shows babies named Rhodri registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Rhodri, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 24 births in 2024, compared with 59 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Rhodri
015304459199620102024

Decades

Rhodri by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rhodri 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 #1343 97 5
2010s #1211 223 10
2000s #838 296 10
1990s #398 219 4

Notable bearers

Famous people named Rhodri

  • Rhodri Lloyd

    rugby league player

    Welsh rugby league footballer

    1993-

  • Rhodri Williams

    rugby union player

    Welsh rugby union player

    1993-

  • Rhodri Hughes

    rugby union player

    Welsh rugby union player

    1993-

  • Rhodri Davies

    rugby union player

    Welsh rugby union player

    1991-

  • Rhodri Jones

    rugby union player

    rugby player

    1991-

  • Rhodri Evans

    cricketer

    cricketer

    1989-

  • Rhodri Meilir

    actor; television actor; film actor

    British actor

    1978-

  • Rhodri ap Dyfrig

    blogger; IT consultant

    New media and social media expert

    1977-

Related

Names similar to Rhodri

FAQ

Rhodri: questions and answers

How popular is the name Rhodri in the UK right now?

In 2024, Rhodri was ranked #1162 for boys in England and Wales, with 24 births registered.

When was Rhodri most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 59 babies registered as Rhodri in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Rhodri?

A Welsh masculine given name derived from Old Welsh "rhodri", meaning "lord, great ruler".

How many people are called Rhodri in the UK?

A total of 835 babies have been registered as Rhodri across the 29 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.