OP here. It seems pretty split. SSA lists Reid is currently the most popular but I also am more familiar with Reed as the first name.

I've only seen it REED for a first name and both spellings as a last.

Anonymous wrote:i've only ever seen it spelled Reid when used as a first name; Reed only as a last name.

+1. Reid was on our list of baby names.

I thought Reed was the first name and Reid the last but you can see there isn't agreement on that.

I think Reed looks nicer as a name.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i've only ever seen it spelled Reid when used as a first name; Reed only as a last name.

Not true. I know two men named Reed. If anything, Reid, as in Harry. Reis, is the spelling for sur name.

all i said was that i, personally, have only seen the name spelled certain ways. so yes, it is true... for me. didn't say it was out of the realm of possibility for the name to be spelled other ways, PP.

Reed

Reid

Definitely Reid

I've seen both as first name and both as last name, but in my experience, Reed is more common. That said, the SSA does not agree with me and Reid has been slightly more common for the last few years.

Just ask Jack Reed and Harry Reid. Two current senators.

Anonymous wrote:i've only ever seen it spelled Reid when used as a first name; Reed only as a last name.

Me too. Both my uncle and a good friend are named Reid.

I've only personally seen it spelled Reed.

Anonymous wrote:i've only ever seen it spelled Reid when used as a first name; Reed only as a last name.

Not true. I know two men named Reed. If anything, Reid, as in Harry. Reis, is the spelling for sur name.

i've only ever seen it spelled Reid when used as a first name; Reed only as a last name.

Which spelling will cause the least confusion? Of course people who have never heard of the name will spell it "Read" but between Reid and Reed, which is better? I am not as much a fan of the additional Reade spelling.