Denise
Denise is a girl's name of French origin.
Meaning
Devoted to Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, festivity, and vegetation.
Origin and history
Denise is the French feminine form of Denis, which originates from the Greek name Dionysios, meaning 'devoted to Dionysus'. The name became very popular in the United States during the mid-20th century and remains a classic, recognizable choice. Though its modern usage has declined, it carries a rich historical and cultural heritage.
Popularity in the United States
373,422 babies in the United States have been named Denise since 1880. It ranks #99 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1178.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.7 %)
- NY (11.8 %)
- PA (7.7 %)
- IL (6.3 %)
- MI (5.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 12 |
| 1890-1900 | 6 |
| 1900-1910 | 58 |
| 1910-1920 | 203 |
| 1920-1930 | 633 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,646 |
| 1940-1950 | 10,105 |
| 1950-1960 | 123,783 |
| 1960-1970 | 128,824 |
| 1970-1980 | 55,868 |
| 1980-1990 | 25,113 |
| 1990-2000 | 13,747 |
| 2000-2010 | 9,062 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,319 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,043 |
Famous people named Denise
- Denise Richards: Actress, Model
- Denise Levertov: Poet, Educator
- Denise Williams: Singer, Songwriter
Nicknames
Deni, Dee, Denny
Fun facts
- Denise reached peak popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, consistently ranking among the top 50 female names.
- The name traces back through French and Latin to the ancient Greek god Dionysus.