Denis
Denis is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Follower of Dionysos.
Origin and history
Denis is a male given name derived from Dionysios, the ancient Greek god of wine and revelry. Popularized in French-speaking regions and across Europe via Saint Denis, the 3rd-century bishop and patron saint of France, it became an established traditional name in the United States. While less common in recent years, it remains a recognized classic variant of Dennis.
Popularity in the United States
20,733 babies in the United States have been named Denis since 1880. It ranks #825 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1348.
States where it is most popular
- NY (23.2 %)
- CA (10.6 %)
- MA (8.9 %)
- IL (6.9 %)
- PA (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 81 |
| 1890-1900 | 68 |
| 1900-1910 | 55 |
| 1910-1920 | 300 |
| 1920-1930 | 616 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,648 |
| 1940-1950 | 3,713 |
| 1950-1960 | 4,953 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,755 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,398 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,025 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,062 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,365 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,094 |
| 2020-2029 | 600 |
Famous people named Denis
- Denis Villeneuve: Film Director, Screenwriter
- Denis Leary: Actor, Comedian
- Denis Diderot: Philosopher, Writer
Nicknames
Denny, Den
Fun facts
- Saint Denis was a 3rd-century bishop of Paris whose martyrdom made the name widely popular across medieval Europe.
- Denis with a single 'n' is the standard spelling in French and Russian, while Dennis with a double 'n' is more common in English-speaking countries.