Rice /rice/ [1 syll.] as a boys' name is of Welsh origin, and the meaning of Rice is enthusiasm.Anglicization of Rhys. Also a respelling of the German name Reis, possibly meaning knight on horseback, gatherer of twigs, wood carver, or dweller in the brush.Football player Jerry Rice.ice is an uncommonly occurring first name for males but a very prominent surname for both adults and children (#169 out of 150436, Top 1%). (2000 U.S. Census). Charted below is the baby name popularity of Rice for boys.