Denis Boy

Popularity: #843 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DEN-iss //ˈdɛnɪs//

Origin: Greek; Latin; French

Meaning: Greek: 'follower of Dionysius'; Latin: 'god of wine'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Denis derives from the Greek name Dionysios, which is rooted in the name of the Greek god Dionysus, the deity of wine, fertility, and festivity. The name entered Latin as Dionysius, and from there it evolved into various forms in different languages, including the Old French Denis.

The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Norman names were adopted into the English lexicon, leading to the establishment of Denis as a recognized name in England. Historically, the name Denis has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Denis, the patron saint of France, who is believed to have been martyred in the 3rd century.

His cult became prominent in the Middle Ages, and he was often depicted in art and literature, reinforcing the name's significance in Christian tradition. The name also appears in various historical texts, including the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible, where the name Dionysius is mentioned in connection with early Christian figures.

Culturally, the name Denis has been associated with themes of celebration and revelry, reflecting its origins linked to the god of wine. This connection to festivity has allowed the name to endure through the centuries, as it resonates with various cultural traditions that celebrate life and community.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as Denis or Denny have emerged in different cultures, further enriching the name's historical tapestry. Overall, Denis carries a legacy that intertwines religious significance with cultural festivities, marking its place in history.

Famous people named Denis

In this section, you will find notable people named Denis. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Denis who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Denis who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Denis Villeneuve is a director best known for Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, and Dune.

Denis Leary is a comedian and actor best known for Rescue Me, The Ref, and Demolition Man.

Denis O'Hare is an actor best known for American Horror Story, Dallas Buyers Club, and The Good Wife.

Denis Podalydès is an actor and director best known for The Dreamers, The French Kissers, and The Last Mitterrand.

Denis Gauthier is a former professional ice hockey player best known for playing with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Phoenix Coyotes.

Fictional characters named Denis

The following list of fictional characters named Denis is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Denis is a fictional character from the animated television series Denis the Menace. He is a mischievous young boy known for his pranks and antics that often trouble his neighbor, Mr. Wilson.

Denis is a fictional character from the film Denis the Menace. He is a young boy whose playful nature leads to comedic situations and challenges for the adults around him.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Denis, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

DanielDavidDerekDylanDamonDominic

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Denis. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

DennisDariusDorianDesmondDanteDustinDamon

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Denis was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Denis has ranked as high as #595 nationally, which occurred in 1952, and has been most popular in New York, California, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Denis has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Denis is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Denis was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Denis.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 101 95 6
2024 111 103 8
2023 113 113 0
2022 109 102 7
2021 102 92 10
2020 119 95 24
2019 123 123 0
2018 95 90 5
2017 95 95 0
2016 93 88 5
2015 110 110 0
2014 108 102 6
2013 129 120 9
2012 131 124 7
2011 130 117 13
2010 143 125 18
2009 169 144 25
2008 166 132 34
2007 185 158 27
2006 186 158 28
2005 169 141 28
2004 173 147 26
2003 170 144 26
2002 142 117 25
2001 131 114 17
2000 129 110 19
1999 110 99 11
1998 124 110 14
1997 117 105 12
1996 124 102 22
1995 114 105 9
1994 111 95 16
1993 120 101 19
1992 135 113 22
1991 136 121 15
1990 125 111 14
1989 130 115 15
1988 93 88 5
1987 117 101 16
1986 120 111 9
1985 109 98 11
1984 86 79 7
1983 105 99 6
1982 98 86 12
1981 140 125 15
1980 138 123 15
1979 115 108 7
1978 113 107 6
1977 137 129 8
1976 152 138 14
1975 129 122 7
1974 134 134 0
1973 138 131 7
1972 163 158 5
1971 177 169 8
1970 212 202 10
1969 207 200 7
1968 234 224 10
1967 224 212 12
1966 282 273 9
1965 275 270 5
1964 275 275 0
1963 309 302 7
1962 332 326 6
1961 317 310 7
1960 374 363 11
1959 380 374 6
1958 414 409 5
1957 398 389 9
1956 499 493 6
1955 496 491 5
1954 583 574 9
1953 589 583 6
1952 625 618 7
1951 541 541 0
1950 487 481 6
1949 393 393 0
1948 434 428 6
1947 496 496 0
1946 454 448 6
1945 332 327 5
1944 312 312 0
1943 343 343 0
1942 398 392 6
1941 302 302 0
1940 272 272 0
1939 296 296 0
1938 249 242 7
1937 198 198 0
1936 166 166 0
1935 170 170 0
1934 143 143 0
1933 146 146 0
1932 102 102 0
1931 97 97 0
1930 88 88 0
1929 72 72 0
1928 69 69 0
1927 74 74 0
1926 82 82 0
1925 68 68 0
1924 58 58 0
1923 47 47 0
1922 54 54 0
1921 44 44 0
1920 48 48 0
1919 35 35 0
1918 48 48 0
1917 47 47 0
1916 38 38 0
1915 38 38 0
1914 30 30 0
1913 21 21 0
1912 22 22 0
1911 12 12 0
1910 9 9 0
1909 6 6 0
1908 8 8 0
1906 7 7 0
1905 8 8 0
1904 8 8 0
1901 5 5 0
1900 13 13 0
1898 11 11 0
1896 10 10 0
1895 12 12 0
1894 6 6 0
1893 7 7 0
1892 10 10 0
1891 5 5 0
1890 7 7 0
1889 6 6 0
1888 7 7 0
1887 8 8 0
1886 7 7 0
1885 9 9 0
1884 6 6 0
1883 7 7 0
1882 12 12 0
1881 9 9 0
1880 10 10 0

Top States for Denis (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 14
26%
FL 12
23%
CA 10
19%
NY 7
13%
PA 5
9%
IL 5
9%