Dennis Boy

Popularity: #590 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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

Origin: Greek; Latin

Meaning: Greek: 'follower of Dionysius'; Latin: 'divine'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Dennis is derived from the Greek name Dionysios, which means "follower of Dionysus," the Greek god of wine, fertility, and festivity. The name entered Latin as Dionysius and was subsequently adopted into Old French as Denis.

The transition into English occurred in the medieval period, where it became popularized through the influence of the Normans after the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century. The name's association with Dionysus imbued it with connotations of revelry and celebration, reflecting the characteristics of the deity.

Historically, the name Dennis has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Denis, the patron saint of France, who was martyred in the 3rd century. His veneration contributed to the name's popularity throughout the Middle Ages, particularly in France and later in England.

The name appears in various historical texts and ecclesiastical documents, solidifying its significance in Christian tradition. The Latin form, Dionysius, was also used in the context of early Christian writings, including the works of early Church Fathers, which further spread the name's usage.

Culturally, Dennis has been associated with themes of festivity and joy, reflective of its etymological roots. The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, often linked to celebrations and communal gatherings.

In addition to its primary form, diminutive variations such as Denny have emerged, maintaining the name's relevance through informal usage. The enduring nature of Dennis in various cultural contexts highlights its historical significance and the rich tapestry of meanings associated with it.

Famous people named Dennis

In this section, you will find notable people named Dennis. 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 Dennis who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Dennis 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.

Dennis Quaid is an actor best known for The Parent Trap, The Rookie, and Frequency.

Dennis Rodman is a former professional basketball player best known for his time with the Chicago Bulls, winning multiple NBA championships, and his eccentric personality.

Dennis Miller is a comedian and television host best known for Saturday Night Live, Dennis Miller Live, and his stand-up comedy specials.

Dennis Leary is an actor, comedian, and writer best known for Rescue Me, The Ref, and his stand-up comedy specials.

Dennis Franz is an actor best known for his role in NYPD Blue, as well as his work in Hill Street Blues.

Fictional characters named Dennis

The following list of fictional characters named Dennis 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.

Dennis the Menace is a fictional character from the comic strip and animated series Dennis the Menace. He is a mischievous young boy known for his pranks and antics that often frustrate his neighbor, Mr. Wilson.

Dennis Reynolds is a fictional character from the TV show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He is a self-absorbed and manipulative member of the gang who often believes he is superior to others.

Sibling suggestions

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

DavidDanielDerekDylanDustinDamon

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dennis. 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.

DariusDesmondDominicDanteDorianDustinDerekDamon

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Dennis has ranked as high as #29 nationally, which occurred in 1952, and has been most popular in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Dennis has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Dennis 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 Dennis 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 Dennis.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 381 381 0
2024 381 376 5
2023 427 427 0
2022 428 423 5
2021 393 385 8
2020 420 414 6
2019 510 510 0
2018 497 497 0
2017 521 516 5
2016 594 587 7
2015 592 592 0
2014 584 578 6
2013 625 625 0
2012 661 661 0
2011 700 685 15
2010 734 726 8
2009 859 845 14
2008 850 833 17
2007 989 968 21
2006 1,042 1,029 13
2005 1,055 1,040 15
2004 1,042 1,017 25
2003 1,130 1,109 21
2002 1,104 1,081 23
2001 1,197 1,180 17
2000 1,353 1,343 10
1999 1,353 1,340 13
1998 1,331 1,318 13
1997 1,509 1,489 20
1996 1,559 1,540 19
1995 1,702 1,689 13
1994 1,810 1,788 22
1993 1,975 1,964 11
1992 2,179 2,165 14
1991 2,341 2,314 27
1990 2,511 2,494 17
1989 2,696 2,675 21
1988 2,667 2,652 15
1987 2,778 2,756 22
1986 2,735 2,705 30
1985 2,871 2,845 26
1984 2,978 2,953 25
1983 3,078 3,047 31
1982 3,420 3,392 28
1981 3,657 3,634 23
1980 3,832 3,804 28
1979 4,123 4,080 43
1978 3,893 3,861 32
1977 4,197 4,152 45
1976 4,201 4,169 32
1975 4,758 4,730 28
1974 4,912 4,880 32
1973 5,222 5,176 46
1972 5,647 5,608 39
1971 6,614 6,584 30
1970 7,345 7,312 33
1969 7,402 7,357 45
1968 7,434 7,403 31
1967 7,676 7,636 40
1966 7,819 7,786 33
1965 8,252 8,215 37
1964 9,369 9,327 42
1963 9,862 9,821 41
1962 10,685 10,633 52
1961 12,549 12,503 46
1960 14,357 14,303 54
1959 16,103 16,043 60
1958 16,472 16,418 54
1957 16,978 16,917 61
1956 18,414 18,359 55
1955 20,488 20,436 52
1954 20,804 20,758 46
1953 23,709 23,658 51
1952 24,605 24,552 53
1951 24,311 24,264 47
1950 22,901 22,862 39
1949 21,785 21,746 39
1948 21,809 21,765 44
1947 23,758 23,686 72
1946 21,495 21,447 48
1945 15,027 14,990 37
1944 13,720 13,676 44
1943 14,184 14,116 68
1942 13,313 13,281 32
1941 9,599 9,562 37
1940 7,884 7,845 39
1939 6,238 6,212 26
1938 4,248 4,236 12
1937 3,169 3,160 9
1936 2,637 2,627 10
1935 2,615 2,597 18
1934 2,068 2,053 15
1933 1,698 1,685 13
1932 1,434 1,421 13
1931 1,210 1,202 8
1930 1,190 1,173 17
1929 1,007 997 10
1928 968 957 11
1927 934 919 15
1926 850 838 12
1925 834 826 8
1924 812 807 5
1923 782 773 9
1922 683 677 6
1921 739 727 12
1920 632 624 8
1919 636 626 10
1918 647 637 10
1917 591 582 9
1916 532 532 0
1915 514 514 0
1914 390 382 8
1913 324 324 0
1912 268 268 0
1911 166 166 0
1910 135 135 0
1909 120 120 0
1908 101 101 0
1907 111 111 0
1906 89 89 0
1905 106 106 0
1904 90 90 0
1903 75 75 0
1902 85 85 0
1901 79 79 0
1900 132 132 0
1899 86 86 0
1898 99 99 0
1897 96 96 0
1896 90 90 0
1895 108 108 0
1894 84 84 0
1893 83 83 0
1892 82 82 0
1891 89 89 0
1890 102 102 0
1889 111 111 0
1888 106 106 0
1887 93 93 0
1886 98 98 0
1885 112 112 0
1884 113 113 0
1883 112 112 0
1882 135 135 0
1881 99 99 0
1880 128 128 0

Top States for Dennis (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
CA 37
11%
TX 30
9%
FL 25
7%
GA 17
5%
IL 17
5%
NC 17
5%
OH 16
5%
NY 16
5%
PA 14
4%
VA 13
4%
SC 11
3%
NJ 11
3%
MI 9
3%
MN 9
3%
TN 9
3%
MO 9
3%
AZ 8
2%
LA 8
2%
WA 8
2%
WI 7
2%
MD 7
2%
IA 6
2%
IN 6
2%
AL 5
1%
KS 5
1%
OK 5
1%
WV 5
1%
CO 5
1%