Ifans was born Rhys Evans in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales to Beti-Wyn, a nursery school teacher, and Eurwyn Evans, a primary school teacher. He has adopted the Welsh spelling of his surname. Ifans grew up in Ruthin, in North Wales, and attended Ysgol Maes Garmon, a Welsh language secondary school in Mold, Flintshire, where he sat his O levels and A levels. He also attended youth acting schools at Theatr Clwyd, Mold. His first language is Welsh and he says that he began using the Welsh spelling of his surname, "just to be difficult". His brother, LlÅ·r Evans, is also an actor. They starred together in the Welsh produced film, Twin Town. Rhys was romantically linked to British actress, Sienna Miller , and has a swallow tattoo on his left wrist to match hers. In June 2008 it was reported that Miller ended the relationship with Ifans.