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Dennis Name Meaning, Origins & History

Dennis

Pronunciation: DEN-iss

Meaning Follower of Dionysius Origin Ancient Greek Gender Boy
BOYS RANK
#707
TREND
1
Peak Years
1952, 1951, 1947
Lowest Years
1903, 1901, 1892
Energy Archetype
Practical & Determined

Rank shows the name’s position among U.S. baby names for each gender in 2025. Trend shows how many places it rose or fell since 2024. Rank 1 is the most popular. Based on U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) data. Peak and lowest years are based on the number of boys named Dennis in the available records.

Fun Facts About the Name Dennis

  • An all-time favorite: U.S. records show 620,996 boys named Dennis from 1880 through 2025.
  • Decades of popularity: Dennis stayed in the U.S. top 100 for 51 consecutive years, from 1934 through 1984.
  • More than 623 thousand babies named Dennis: U.S. records list 623,687 babies given the name Dennis from 1880 through 2025. Even 2,691 girls received the name Dennis - about 1 girl for every 231 boys.

What Does the Name Dennis Mean?

Dennis is an English masculine name meaning "follower of Dionysus." It comes from the Greek name Dionysios (Διονύσιος), a derivative of Dionysos (Διόνυσος), the Greek god of wine, ecstasy, and theater. The Greek Dionysios meant "of Dionysos" or "belonging to Dionysos"; in customary use it is rendered as "follower of Dionysus." The god's own name is of uncertain origin. Ancient writers sometimes connected it with Nysa, a mythical place where Dionysus was raised, and some modern explanations link the first element to Dios, "of Zeus," but no single derivation is agreed.

The name passed into Latin as Dionysius and into Old French as Denis. Medieval English used forms such as Denys, which led to the surname Dennis and later to the given name. The English spelling Dennis is a later development of that medieval name; it is closely related to Denis and Denys.

Dennis Name History & Origins

The name entered western Europe through Dionysius, the Latin form of Greek Dionysios. Several early Christian saints bore it, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a convert mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, and Dionysius of Paris, usually called Saint Denis, a third-century bishop and martyr. The French form Denis is closely associated with Saint Denis, whose cult centered at Saint-Denis near Paris.

After the Norman Conquest, Old French Denis was carried into England, where it appears in medieval records as Denys and similar spellings. From this personal name came the English surname Dennis. The given name Dennis developed alongside the surname and the French form Denis; the spelling with a double n and final s is an English development.

In Ireland, Dennis (often spelled Denis) has also been used as an English form of the unrelated Gaelic name Donnchadh, meaning "brown warrior." That usage is separate from the Greek-derived history of the name.

How Popular is the Name Dennis?

Dennis remained among the top 100 boy names in the U.S. from 1934 to 1984. Its highest annual birth count was in 1952, and people born that year turn 74 in 2026.

U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.

Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.

Famous People Named Dennis

Dennis Quaid
Dennis Quaid

Explore Name Lists Featuring Dennis

Carl appears in several baby name collections based on U.S. popularity records, naming trends, and name characteristics. Explore these lists to discover other names with similar histories, styles, or features.

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How the Name Dennis Shapes Your Personality and Life?

You are strong in material matters, determined and stubborn. You have good business ability. You are a good worker, steady and practical, a builder who takes responsibility well. These qualities may bring you a position of authority and power. You are a doer, down-to-earth, serious-minded, reliable, and self-disciplined; have good power of concentration. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.

You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.

✦ Dennis's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Dennis's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.
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