Dejan
Primarily a boy's name of Czech origin with 317 recorded births. Also given to 13 girls.
Meaning & Origin
a male given name
Dejan is a boy's and girl's baby name of Czech origin, a South Slavic name connected to the Czech and Slovak element dej meaning 'to give, to grant' — making it a name that celebrates the gift of life or asks for divine blessings to be granted. It is widely used across Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia.
Dejan is one of the more common masculine names in the former Yugoslav countries. Serbian and Croatian footballers have brought the name to international sports audiences, including Dejan Lovren and Dejan Kulusevski, giving Dejan an athletic, contemporary European profile.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Dejan belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their clean, contemporary ending — among the most common endings in modern American names. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Czech naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Czech names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Dejan’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Dejan has 36+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1970.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 7 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 23 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 117 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 76 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 41 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 53 | — |
The Story of Dejan
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2000, Dejan is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Dejan are most likely born between 1990 and 2010.
How rare is Dejan?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Dejan is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1970, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2000s with 117 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Dejan by the numbers
- Would fill 7 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(36 years, 1970–2021)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 | #9964 |
| 2015 | 5 | #12513 |
| 2013 | 6 | #11059 |
| 2011 | 7 | #9875 |
| 2010 | 5 | #12708 |
| 2009 | 5 | #12933 |
| 2008 | 8 | #9187 |
| 2007 | 6 | #11260 |
| 2006 | 14 | #5855 |
| 2005 | 9 | #7784 |
| 2004 | 15 | #5311 |
| 2003 | 10 | #6844 |
| 2002 | 16 | #4754 |
| 2001 | 15 | #4945 |
| 2000 | 19 | #4097 |
| 1999 | 12 | #5387 |
| 1998 | 9 | #6442 |
| 1997 | 11 | #5361 |
| 1996 | 7 | #7324 |
| 1995 | 7 | #7176 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Dejan as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Dejan has also been given to 13 girls in the U.S. since 1996.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dejan a boy's or girl's name?
When was Dejan most popular?
How popular is the name Dejan?
Can Dejan be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1970–2021