Declining since 1986, #4,249 for boys today.
Popularity of Denny since 1889
Babies named Denny per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 11 |
| 1900s | 26 |
| 1910s | 157 |
| 1920s | 458 |
| 1930s | 1,250 |
| 1940s | 3,011 |
| 1950s | 2,693 |
| 1960s | 2,447 |
| 1970s | 1,942 |
| 1980s | 1,223 |
| 1990s | 895 |
| 2000s | 707 |
| 2010s | 439 |
| 2020s | 153 |
Meaning & origin
Denny is a classic mid-20th century nickname-turned-given name. It reached its highest popularity in 1946, ranking among the top names of the 1940s. Since 1986, its usage has steadily declined; in 2025, it ranked 4249, with about 1 in 71170 newborn boys receiving the name. The name was most common in Washington state during its peak decades. Denny retains a friendly, unpretentious character typical of short, one-syllable nicknames from the era.
Denny originated as a medieval English pet form of Dennis, which comes from the Greek name Dionysios, meaning 'follower of Dionysus'. The name was popular among early Christians, with Saint Denis being a notable 3rd-century martyr. Denny emerged as an independent given name in the 19th century, particularly in the United States.
Where Denny 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Den
Sibling names for Denny
Names that share Denny's style, for a brother or sister.
