Declining since 1985, #707 for boys today.
Popularity of Dennis since 1880
Babies named Dennis per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1952, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dennis's real moment was 1946.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,107 |
| 1890s | 919 |
| 1900s | 988 |
| 1910s | 4,166 |
| 1920s | 8,145 |
| 1930s | 26,366 |
| 1940s | 162,114 |
| 1950s | 204,267 |
| 1960s | 94,984 |
| 1970s | 50,552 |
| 1980s | 30,463 |
| 1990s | 18,101 |
| 2000s | 10,445 |
| 2010s | 5,977 |
| 2020s | 2,406 |
Meaning & origin
Dennis is a name with ancient roots that enjoyed a long run as a mainstream American favorite before gradually receding. In 2025, it ranks 707th, given to about 1 in 4,483 boys. This is a significant drop from its peak year of 1946, when it was a top 30 name and a staple of mid-century nurseries. The name began a clear downward trend around 1985 and has been falling ever since. Geographically, it shows the strongest remaining foothold in states like Nebraska, Maryland, and Mississippi, where it continues to be used at rates above the national average. Despite its decline, Dennis remains a familiar, classic-sounding name with a cheerful ancient meaning and a deep cultural history. The trajectory suggests it may eventually settle into vintage status, overlooked but not forgotten.
Dennis is derived from the Greek name Dionysios (Διονύσιος), meaning 'devoted to Dionysus', the god of wine, fertility, and ritual madness. It was introduced to England via the Norman French form Denis, and became widely used among Christians due to the fame of Saint Denis, the 3rd-century patron saint of Paris. The spelling with a double 'n', Dennis, emerged in English and grew popular in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it peaked in the 1940s as a distinctly mid-century choice.
Where Dennis 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.
“Dennis” around the world
Where Dennis lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Den, Denny
Sibling names for Dennis
Names that share Dennis's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Linda, Sharon, Carol, Janet, Cheryl, Belinda, Charlene, Darlene, Deanna, Donna, Karen, Kari, Malinda, Nancy, Caren, Caryn, Charleen, Charlyn, Charmaine, Cherlyn, Danette, Danita, Darla, Darleen, Deann, Deanne, Deena, Dena, Dionne, Evonne, Glenda, Janel, Jerilyn, Jerrilyn, Jonette, Kandis, Laureen, Lorie, Lorinda, Marcy, Sharilyn, Sharron, Sharyn, Tambra, Vonda, Arnita, Candis, Carmon, Cherilyn, Cheryle, Cinda, Dawne, Debera, Dede, Dedra, Deeann, Deeanna, Deedra, Delinda, Deneen, Denese, Denita, Dennise, Detra, Eilene, Jerilynn, Joline, Jolynn, Kareen, Karleen, Korinne, Lauralee, Laurene, Leeanne, Loreen, Pamelia, Sabrena, Saralyn, Sharen, Sharleen, Sherilyn, Sherree, Sherrell, Sherril, Sherryl, Sheryll, Shirleen, Tonette, Wonda, Arlynn, Belynda, Branda, Brendalee, Camela, Carliss, Carren, Charlynn, Charmin, Cherl, Chrisann, Cindia, Corlis, Cynda, Cyndee, Danice, Danise, Darilyn, Daun, Dawnelle, Deadra, Dedria, Deitra, Delene, Delynn, Denean, Denette, Deniece, Denitra, Deronda, Dewana, Donalee, Donica, Donice, Donnette, Donnia, Donnita, Donyelle, Doree, Dyanne, Gaylynn, Genene, Genese, Genice, Genine, Gerilyn, Glennda, Janalyn, Janece, Janeice, Jannine, Jeaneen, Jenean, Jeneane, Jenene, Jeniece, Jerelyn, Jerene, Jerline, Jillene, Jolinda, Juleen, Karene, Karilyn, Kellene, Lagina, Lanessa, Leaann, Lenda, Lenetta, Lenette, Lenise, Linell, Lorilee, Lynnda, Lynnell, Marlinda, Merrilyn, Necia, Pamila, Pamla, Renda, Rondi, Ronelle, Ronita, Roshell, Roxan, Sandrea, Sebrena, Shalene, Sharion, Sharman, Sharol, Shelena, Sheliah, Sheran, Sherian, Sherlin, Sherra, Sherrel, Sheryle, Shirlyn, Sonji, Sundra, Terrilyn, Terrilynn, Trenise, Velinda, Arlisa, Candus, Cherilynn, Cherly, Cherlynn, Cheryln, Cherylyn, Cheryn, Chyrel, Chyrl, Cyndia, Dalis, Danene, Danne, Daralyn, Darthy, Dauna, Daune, Davene, Dawnette, Deborra, Debria, Deby, Delbra, Delecia, Delise, Denicia, Dennette, Denyce, Derenda, Donise, Drinda, Durinda, Evonda, Gaylyn, Geralynn, Jeanean, Jenice, Jerlyn, Jillaine, Jodeen, Jodine, Jonalyn, Koreen, Ladoris, Lannette, Loletha, Loralyn, Lorilyn, Lynnett, Lyvonne, Mardi, Marlise, Merelyn, Merryl, Pamula, Philana, Radonna, Ronalee, Scherrie, Scheryl, Sharel, Sharis, Sharonne, Sharren, Shelene, Shellia, Sheresa, Sherill, Sherilynn, Sherran, Shirell, Terrisa, Tonetta, Tonnette, Veronda, Wenda, Chermaine, Denece, Gerilynn, Janace, Artina, Blinda, Brynda, Cerita, Chalene, Cherylee, Cherylene, Chryl, Colinda, Darene, Darlisa, Darnice, Debar, Debe, Demita, Deneane, Deneice, Denene, Denessa, Denetta, Denina, Donnice, Dorreen, Dorthia, Floreen, Genean, Geneen, Geriann, Geryl, Jenese, Jennene, Jennise, Jeralynn, Jerelene, Jerita, Jillane, Joreen, Kenise, Kennita, Lafreda, Lanise, Lauriann, Leanette, Lorann, Lynnel, Maridee, Marshia, Marvelyn, Patryce, Renise, Retina, Rhanda, Rhenda, Rhonna, Rondalyn, Sharalee, Sharonlee, Sheriann, Sherleen, Sherryann, Sherryll, Soundra, Suprena, Teriann, Trease, Valoree, Velisa, Wilmarie
Brothers: Ronald, Donald, Kenneth, Gerald, Bruce, Curtis, Daryl, Jerry, Jimmie, Randal, Terrence, Terry, Todd, Darl, Darrel, Dewayne, Donnell, Dwain, Karon, Randell, Randon, Rod, Donnis, Duwayne, Randel, Sherron, Constant, Daiel, Dannon, Darral, Darvis, Daymond, Denard, Denell, Donathan, Doni, Donis, Garrie, Gayland, Gerad, Jerard, Rondall, Darol, Darrall, Darryle, Deano, Deland, Doral, Dornell, Dyon, Ferlin, Gregary, Gregrey, Jaris, Jeris, Jerris, Levonne, Torris, Dannis, Donney, Dorell, Duanne, Jerrol, Kelvis, Kirtis, Marcelis, Rockney, Shiron, Stedman, Theoplis, Winfrey
Names like Dennis
Names whose popularity has moved with Dennis's over the last 50 years.
