Dennis
/ˈdɛn.ɪs/
Dennis derives from the Greek Dionysios, meaning “follower of Dionysus,” the god of wine and festivity. The French form Denis carried it into medieval English usage.
Saint Denis, the 3rd-century Bishop of Paris and patron saint of France, established the name’s Christian pedigree. He was martyred on the hill that became Montmartre—“hill of the martyr.”
Dennis reached a towering No. 16 in 1949 with 21,747 births. By 2024 it has receded to No. 708 with 376 births, a steep postwar decline.
What the name Dennis means
Comedian Dennis the Menace debuted in 1951, and actor Dennis Hopper brought edgy charisma to the name. Basketball’s Dennis Rodman added a flamboyant chapter.
Two syllables—DEN-is—feel straightforward and unadorned. The dental opening and sibilant close produce a clean, crisp profile.
Though Dennis has fallen from its midcentury dominance, vintage-name enthusiasts may see revival potential in its honest simplicity.
International variants abound: Denis in French, Deniz in Turkish, Dionysius in Latin. Dennis anchors the English branch of a truly global naming family.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Dennis
Dennis - similar names
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