A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Dewey since 1887
Babies named Dewey per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 25 |
| 1890s | 1,921 |
| 1900s | 1,320 |
| 1910s | 2,960 |
| 1920s | 7,224 |
| 1930s | 5,328 |
| 1940s | 5,372 |
| 1950s | 3,831 |
| 1960s | 2,627 |
| 1970s | 1,635 |
| 1980s | 921 |
| 1990s | 492 |
| 2000s | 317 |
| 2010s | 234 |
| 2020s | 166 |
Meaning & origin
Dewey is a Welsh name that found its way into American baby naming through the heroic legacy of Admiral George Dewey, whose victory at the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898 made him a national celebrity. The name saw its peak popularity in that same year (1898) and remained in modest use through the early 20th century, then gradually declined. Since 2015, Dewey has been on a rising trajectory, though it remains quite rare: in 2025 only about 1 in 61,003 boys received the name, placing it at rank 3,848. The name is a variant of Dewi, the Welsh form of David, and carries the simple, warm meaning of 'beloved'.
Dewey is an anglicized form of the Welsh name Dewi, itself a Welsh form of David, derived from the Hebrew name David meaning 'beloved'. Historically associated with the patron saint of Wales, Saint David (Dewi Sant), the name was introduced to England via Welsh migration. In the United States, it gained modest use in the late 19th century, partly influenced by the popularity of Admiral George Dewey, hero of the Spanish-American War.
Where Dewey 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: Dew
Sibling names for Dewey
Names that share Dewey's style, for a brother or sister.
