Dewey
Dewey is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Beloved.
Origin and history
Dewey is a traditional masculine name of Welsh origin, deriving as an Anglicized form of the Welsh name Dafydd (David). It achieved notable popularity in the United States around the turn of the 20th century, largely inspired by Admiral George Dewey. Today, it remains a rare, vintage surname-turned-given-name.
Popularity in the United States
34,373 babies in the United States have been named Dewey since 1880. It ranks #625 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1761.
States where it is most popular
- NC (10.5 %)
- KY (7.7 %)
- AL (7.2 %)
- TN (7.2 %)
- TX (7.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 25 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,921 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,320 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,960 |
| 1920-1930 | 7,224 |
| 1930-1940 | 5,328 |
| 1940-1950 | 5,372 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,831 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,627 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,635 |
| 1980-1990 | 921 |
| 1990-2000 | 492 |
| 2000-2010 | 317 |
| 2010-2019 | 234 |
| 2020-2029 | 166 |
Famous people named Dewey
- Dewey Redman: Musician, Saxophonist
- Dewey Martin: Drummer, Musician
- Dewey Robinson: Actor
Fun facts
- The name experienced a massive surge in U.S. popularity in 1898 following Admiral George Dewey's victory at the Battle of Manila Bay.
- It is widely recognized through Melvil Dewey, creator of the library classification system introduced in 1876.