A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Dea since 1901
Babies named Dea per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1963, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dea's real moment was 1976.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 43 |
| 1920s | 47 |
| 1930s | 38 |
| 1940s | 133 |
| 1950s | 249 |
| 1960s | 340 |
| 1970s | 273 |
| 1980s | 164 |
| 1990s | 71 |
| 2000s | 176 |
| 2010s | 187 |
| 2020s | 99 |
Meaning & origin
Dea is a short, simple name that has maintained a low but steady presence in the United States since the early 20th century. First recorded in 1901, it saw a notable peak in 1976, likely influenced by a revival of short, goddess-like names during that decade. From a rank of over 5000 in the 1990s, Dea has been rising in popularity since 1993, reflecting a modern trend toward minimalistic and vowel-heavy names. Its top state, New York, suggests possible Italian or Greek immigrant influence. While its etymology remains open to interpretation, the name's elegance and brevity make it a distinctive choice.
Dea is a name of uncertain origin. It may be a variant of Dia, the name of a Greek Titaness and consort of Zeus, or derived directly from the Latin dea, meaning 'goddess'. In Roman mythology, the term dea was used as a title for goddesses, though Dea itself was not a common given name until modern times. It saw a revival in the 1970s in the United States, particularly in New York.
Where Dea is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Dea” around the world
Where Dea lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Dea
Names that share Dea's style, for a brother or sister.
