Let $\kappa$ be an infinite cardinal. Then there exists at least one real-closed field of cardinality $\kappa$ (e.g. Lowenheim-Skolem; or, start with a function field over $\mathbb{Q}$ in $\kappa$ indeterminates, choose an ordering and a real-closure).
But I think there are many more, namely $2^{\kappa}$ pairwise nonisomorphic real-closed fields of cardinality $\kappa$. This is equal to the number of binary operations on a set of infinite cardinality $\kappa$, so is the largest conceivable number.
As for motivation -- what can I tell you, mathematical curiosity is a powerful thing. One application of this which I find interesting is that there are would then be $2^{2^{\aleph_0}}$ conjugacy classes of order $2$ subgroups of the automorphism group of the field $\mathbb{C}$.
Addendum: Bonus points (so to speak) if you can give a general model-theoretic criterion for a theory to have the largest possible number of models which yields this result as a special case.
