Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Denna since 1921
Babies named Denna per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 29 |
| 1930s | 42 |
| 1940s | 176 |
| 1950s | 369 |
| 1960s | 720 |
| 1970s | 511 |
| 1980s | 219 |
| 1990s | 118 |
| 2000s | 62 |
| 2010s | 87 |
| 2020s | 44 |
Meaning & origin
Denna is a rare and largely unranked feminine name in the United States, first recorded in 1921. Its peak year of usage was 1969, though it never broke into the top 1,000 names. Since 1985, its trajectory has been falling, and as of 2025 no recent data shows a resurgence. The name has no strong ties to a particular region or state, as indicated by its empty top states list. Its origins are uncertain; it may be a modern variant of Deanna or a creative invention. Denna remains an uncommon choice, favored by parents seeking a distinctive name with a soft sound.
Denna is likely a modern variant of names like Deanna or Denny. Deanna is a feminine form of Dean, itself from the Old English 'denu' meaning 'valley'. Alternatively, Denna may be a purely invented name or a respelling of Dana or Dena. It has been in occasional use in the United States since the early 20th century, peaking in the 1960s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Den, Dennie
Sibling names for Denna
Names that share Denna's style, for a brother or sister.
