Dennys
Primarily a boy's name of Greek origin with 477 recorded births. Also given to 83 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. boy's names, Dennys currently holds position #11223. It is known but far from saturated — a name that registers without repeating.
Appearing in records from 1978 to 2024, Dennys has a solid multi-decade track record without being a permanent fixture — it belongs to a specific chapter of American naming.
In the most recent SSA release, Dennys ranks #11223 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Dennys is a boy's and girl's baby name of Greek origin via French, a variant spelling of Denis or Dennis — from the Greek Dionysios, meaning 'devotee of Dionysus,' the god of wine, festivity, and transformation. Saint Denis was the first Bishop of Paris and the patron saint of France.
The Dennys spelling is particularly common in French-speaking countries and Brazil — a form of the classic name that keeps its Dionysian spirit while claiming a distinctive orthographic identity.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Dennys is rooted in the Greek tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1978 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Dennys’s rarity (477 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Dennys was #6227 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #11223, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 25 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 96 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 147 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 146 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 57 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 6 | — |
The Story of Dennys
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 1998, Dennys is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Dennys are most likely born between 1988 and 2008.
How rare is Dennys?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Dennys — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1978, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2000s with 147 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Dennys by the numbers
- Would fill 10 school buses
- Meeting one Dennys per day would take 1.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(40 years, 1978–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #11223 |
| 2023 | 12 | #6991 |
| 2021 | 7 | #9973 |
| 2019 | 5 | #12618 |
| 2018 | 8 | #9034 |
| 2017 | 13 | #6408 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11060 |
| 2015 | 12 | #6769 |
| 2014 | 6 | #11062 |
| 2013 | 11 | #7149 |
| 2012 | 10 | #7681 |
| 2011 | 9 | #8234 |
| 2010 | 16 | #5544 |
| 2009 | 18 | #5146 |
| 2008 | 14 | #6148 |
| 2007 | 16 | #5491 |
| 2006 | 17 | #5133 |
| 2005 | 15 | #5361 |
| 2004 | 12 | #6227 |
| 2003 | 12 | #5961 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Dennys as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Dennys has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 83 births since 1991.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dennys a boy's or girl's name?
When was Dennys most popular?
How popular is the name Dennys?
Can Dennys be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1978–2024