Denis Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Denis has Greek origins, stemming from Dionysios, meaning 'follower of Dionysus.' It evolved through various languages and gained prominence due to the influence of Saint Denis in medieval France. The name is associated with traits of culture and artistry, and it has no direct biblical relevance.
The name Denis is most popular in New Hampshire, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Denis has been stalled for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Denis' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 957th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 405th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 355th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 628th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 992nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1227th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1611th out of 23106 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6926th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5308th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5966th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6010th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5926th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 13046th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Denis' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Denis"
Pronunciation
/dəˈniː/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Denis is derived from the Greek name Dionysios, which means 'follower of Dionysus,' the Greek god of wine and festivity.
Meaning
follower of Dionysus
Language Evolution
Dionysios (Ancient Greek), Denys (Old French), Denis (Modern French)
Historical Usage
The name Denis gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in France, due to the veneration of Saint Denis, the patron saint of France.
Variants & Derivatives
Denys, Denny, Dino
Modern Popularity & Image
Denis is often perceived as a classic and strong name, commonly associated with cultured and artistic individuals.
Famous People
Denis Diderot, a French philosopher and writer, Denis Leary, an American actor and comedian, Denis Villeneuve, a Canadian film director
Explore More Denis Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Denis"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Denis"
"Denis" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 957th of 7545 | 817 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 405th of 6773 | 3,738 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 355th of 7552 | 8,292 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 628th of 10718 | 2,700 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 992nd of 16616 | 1,650 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1227th of 24088 | 2,044 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1611th of 23106 | 1,233 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 6926th of 9204 | 18 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 5308th of 12526 | 102 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 5966th of 19264 | 130 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 6010th of 27321 | 213 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5926th of 35406 | 330 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 13046th of 30306 | 74 |
Regional Popularity of "Denis" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
64.12% 908th/1416 |
38.51% 531st/1379 |
65.89% 1559th/2366 |
85.99% 982nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
19.21% 297th/1546 |
14.85% 231st/1556 |
50.96% 1199th/2353 |
24.11% 373rd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
13.56% 302nd/2227 |
8.60% 209th/2430 |
25.27% 721st/2853 |
14.92% 414th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
21.04% 618th/2937 |
9.76% 340th/3483 |
31.55% 1110th/3518 |
19.44% 786th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
34.68% 1278th/3685 |
12.98% 581st/4475 |
25.99% 1350th/5194 |
18.09% 1143rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
33.04% 1514th/4582 |
14.02% 724th/5164 |
18.76% 1372nd/7313 |
15.85% 1183rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
49.95% 1990th/3984 |
26.79% 1202nd/4487 |
21.96% 1498th/6822 |
28.57% 1793rd/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Denis" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
83.13% 4318th/5194 |
51.12% 3229th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
61.59% 4504th/7313 |
53.89% 4022nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
100.00% 6822nd/6822 |
94.39% 5924th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Denis"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Denis" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.