Dean
Dean is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Valley or church official.
Origin and history
Dean originated as an English surname derived from a geographic term for a valley or a title for a leader. It gained significant popularity as a masculine given name in the United States during the mid-20th century. Today, it remains a classic, recognizable choice with steady usage.
Popularity in the United States
192,930 babies in the United States have been named Dean since 1880. It ranks #189 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #151.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.9 %)
- NY (6.6 %)
- PA (6 %)
- IL (5.7 %)
- OH (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 132 |
| 1890-1900 | 247 |
| 1900-1910 | 381 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,812 |
| 1920-1930 | 11,155 |
| 1930-1940 | 13,629 |
| 1940-1950 | 16,356 |
| 1950-1960 | 34,584 |
| 1960-1970 | 42,527 |
| 1970-1980 | 13,898 |
| 1980-1990 | 8,059 |
| 1990-2000 | 8,122 |
| 2000-2010 | 8,035 |
| 2010-2019 | 17,497 |
| 2020-2029 | 14,496 |
Famous people named Dean
- Dean Martin: Singer, Actor
- Dean Koontz: Author, Novelist
- Dean Cain: Actor, Producer
Fun facts
- The name comes from the Old English word 'dene', meaning valley, as well as the occupational title for a head of an administrative body.
- Dean experienced a surge in popularity in mid-20th century America, influenced in part by iconic figures like James Dean and Dean Martin.