Reef
A boys’ name of Old English origin, meaning red-haired or one who lives by reeds; a respelling of Reed.
Reef by the numbers
In 2025, 6 babies in England and Wales were named Reef. In the US, 50 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
It is used at about the same rate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Its American peak was 72 babies in 2011, making it a 2010s name.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Reef. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Sounds like Reef
Names that are said the same way as Reef, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
Other names that mean a plant or herb
Like Reef, each of these has a plant or herb in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Brandonbeacon hill or gorse covered hill3,482 in the US (2017)
- Hadleyheather field2,726 in the US (2017)
- Briarthorny shrub, bramble640 in the US (2017)
- Saigewise one; a respelling of Sage508 in the US (2017)
- Rodneyfamous island, clearing with reeds301 in the US (2017)
- Hadleighheather field; spelling variant of Hadley293 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean red
Like Reef, each of these has red in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Rowanlittle red one; the rowan tree1,398 in England and Wales (2025)
- Roryred king1,760 in England and Wales (2025)
- Reidred; ruddy-complexioned1,286 in the US (2017)
- Russellred-haired; russet-colored782 in the US (2017)
- Flynndescendant of Flann the red218 in England and Wales (2025)
- Ridleyred clearing; a place name used as given name145 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Reef
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