Cerys
A girl's name of Welsh origin with 214 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Welsh, variant of Carys.
Cerys is a girl's baby name of Welsh origin, meaning 'love' or 'cherished,' from the Welsh caru (to love). It is a variant of Carys, and both names belong to a wave of Welsh names that became popular in Wales in the late 20th century.
Welsh singer Cerys Matthews of the band Catatonia brought this name international attention in the 1990s. Cerys has a clean, lyrical simplicity — two syllables, a soft opening, and a meaning that speaks directly to what every parent feels about their child.
EtymologyShow more
Cerys appeared in SSA records in 1998, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Welsh roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 214 recorded births, Cerys has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Cerys has 22+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1998.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 27 | #10588 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 98 | #10674 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 83 | #11435 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 6 | #12744 | — |
The Story of Cerys
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2014, Cerys is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Cerys are most likely born between 2004 and 2023.
How rare is Cerys?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Cerys is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1998, peaked in the 2010s with 98 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Cerys by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(22 years, 1998–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 8 | #11379 |
| 2021 | 11 | #9090 |
| 2020 | 8 | #11295 |
| 2019 | 12 | #8698 |
| 2018 | 11 | #9288 |
| 2017 | 5 | #16376 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9066 |
| 2014 | 22 | #5834 |
| 2013 | 6 | #15000 |
| 2012 | 11 | #9860 |
| 2011 | 9 | #11371 |
| 2010 | 10 | #10577 |
| 2009 | 13 | #9003 |
| 2008 | 12 | #9604 |
| 2007 | 11 | #10273 |
| 2006 | 13 | #8826 |
| 2004 | 6 | #14520 |
| 2003 | 7 | #12662 |
| 2002 | 8 | #11333 |
| 2001 | 8 | #11210 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cerys a boy's or girl's name?
When was Cerys most popular?
How popular is the name Cerys?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1998–2023