Declining since 2006, #1,708 for boys today.
Popularity of Denis since 1880
Babies named Denis per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 81 |
| 1890s | 68 |
| 1900s | 55 |
| 1910s | 300 |
| 1920s | 616 |
| 1930s | 1,648 |
| 1940s | 3,713 |
| 1950s | 4,953 |
| 1960s | 2,755 |
| 1970s | 1,398 |
| 1980s | 1,025 |
| 1990s | 1,062 |
| 2000s | 1,365 |
| 2010s | 1,094 |
| 2020s | 600 |
Meaning & origin
Denis has seen a long decline in American usage since its peak year of 1952. Starting from first recorded appearances in 1880, the name was most common in the mid-20th century, but dropped steadily after 2006. In 2025, it ranked 1,708th with a 1-in-17,980 frequency. Regionally, it has been most popular in Maryland, Colorado, and Florida. The name's French heritage gives it a classic, international feel, yet its decreasing use makes it less common on playgrounds today than in past decades.
Denis is the French form of Dionysius, which derives from Dionysos, the Greek god of wine and festivity. The name was borne by Saint Denis, the patron saint of Paris and a third-century missionary martyred in France. It became common throughout the Christian world, especially in France and Ireland, and was introduced to England by the Normans.
Where Denis is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Denis” around the world
Where Denis lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
40
babies in 2024
Ireland
20
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Den, Denny
Variants: Dennis
Sibling names for Denis
Names that share Denis's style, for a brother or sister.
