Dennis Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Dennis originates from the Greek 'Dionysios', meaning 'follower of Dionysus'. It evolved through various languages, including Latin and Old French, before becoming common in English. It is associated with traits of friendliness and approachability, with no significant biblical ties. The name gained popularity due to Saint Denis in the Middle Ages, and has notable variants such as Denis and Denny.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Dennis"
Pronunciation
/ˈdɛnɪs/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Dennis 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), Dionysius (Latin), Dennis (Old French), Dennis (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Dennis became popular in the Christian world due to the veneration of Saint Denis, a 3rd-century martyr and the patron saint of France, leading to its usage in various forms across Europe during the Middle Ages.
Variants & Derivatives
Denis, Denny, Dino
Modern Popularity & Image
The name Dennis has a classic and somewhat retro appeal, often associated with friendly and approachable individuals. It has seen fluctuating popularity over the decades.
Famous People
Dennis Rodman, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Miller, Dennis Hastert
📊 Dennis Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Dennis Name Visualizations
✨ Dennis Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 24,605 peak births in 1952
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Iowa
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Dennis" - Complete Guide (19 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Dennis". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 19 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Dennis" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Dennis"
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 "Dennis"
"Dennis" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 196th of 7545 | 11,213 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 40th of 6773 | 101,791 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 23rd of 7552 | 349,491 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 55th of 10718 | 92,760 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 120th of 16616 | 40,613 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 308th of 24088 | 16,661 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 571st of 23106 | 5,928 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3647th of 9107 | 112 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1687th of 9204 | 419 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1465th of 12526 | 955 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2282nd of 19264 | 574 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4294th of 27321 | 344 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 7390th of 35406 | 245 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 16778th of 30306 | 42 |
Regional Popularity of "Dennis" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
13.84% 196th/1416 |
14.72% 203rd/1379 |
7.10% 168th/2366 |
22.59% 258th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
1.62% 25th/1546 |
3.28% 51st/1556 |
3.74% 88th/2353 |
1.49% 23rd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
0.85% 19th/2227 |
1.07% 26th/2430 |
1.16% 33rd/2853 |
0.72% 20th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
1.87% 55th/2937 |
1.44% 50th/3483 |
1.99% 70th/3518 |
1.56% 63rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
3.34% 123rd/3685 |
1.97% 88th/4475 |
2.60% 135th/5194 |
2.63% 166th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
6.74% 309th/4582 |
4.03% 208th/5164 |
4.43% 324th/7313 |
4.57% 341st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
13.53% 539th/3984 |
10.10% 453rd/4487 |
8.84% 603rd/6822 |
10.17% 638th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Dennis" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
94.18% 1456th/1546 |
87.85% 1367th/1556 |
- |
82.93% 1283rd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
69.51% 1548th/2227 |
64.36% 1564th/2430 |
63.83% 1821st/2853 |
60.04% 1666th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
89.27% 2622nd/2937 |
70.92% 2470th/3483 |
- |
63.92% 2585th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
100.00% 4475th/4475 |
100.00% 5194th/5194 |
48.49% 3063rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
75.58% 5527th/7313 |
75.02% 5599th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Dennis"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Dennis" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Dennis" in the United States
The name Dennis is most popular in Iowa, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers generation in the MidWest 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, Dennis has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling 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 female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Dennis' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 196th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 40th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 23rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 55th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 120th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 308th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 571st out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3647th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1687th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1465th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2282nd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4294th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7390th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 16778th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Dennis' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.