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Denis as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Denis

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The baby name Denis is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced English: DEN-iss (/ˈdɛnɪs/),French: də-NEE (/dəˈni/; approx. duh-NEE).

Denis is Greek in Origin.

Gender: Male
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: English: DEN-iss (/ˈdɛnɪs/),French: də-NEE (/dəˈni/; approx. duh-NEE)

What is the meaning of the name Denis ?

The baby name Denis is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced English: DEN-iss (/ˈdɛnɪs/),French: də-NEE (/dəˈni/; approx. duh-NEE).

Denis is Greek in Origin.

Denis is the French and pan-European form of the Greek name Dionysios, meaning "devotee of Dionysus," the god of wine and ecstasy. Via Latin Dionysius and Old French Denis/Denys, it reached Britain with the Normans; medieval records favor Denys/Denis, while Dennis later became the dominant English spelling. The name gained special prominence in France through the cult of Saint Denis, 3rd-century bishop of Paris and national patron, and spread across Christendom through several saints and scholars, notably Dionysius the Areopagite (Pseudo-Dionysius).

Regional variants include Dennis (English), Denys (English/French; also Ukrainian transliteration), Dénes (Hungarian), Dinis (Portuguese), Denis (Russian, Serbian, Croatian, Romanian), Denisas (Lithuanian), and Dionisio (Spanish, Italian). Feminine counterparts are Denise, Denisa, and Denisse; short forms include Den and Denny. Usage remains broad in Europe and the Americas, with Denis standard in Slavic languages. The core sense conveys festive vitality and inspired enthusiasm.

Denis has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Denis

Denis Sassou-Nguesso Politician · Born 1943 · Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso is a prominent politician from the Republic of the Congo, best known for serving as the country's President for multiple terms, with his leadership spanning several decades since the late 1970s. His tenure has been marked by significant political influence and involvement in the nation's governance. Denis Pushilin Politician · Born 1981 · Russia Denis Pushilin is best known as the pro-Russian politician who became head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in 2018. He previously served as chairman of its People's Council and took over as acting leader after Alexander Zakharchenko was assassinated during the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Denis I of Portugal Politician|royal · Born 1261 · Kingdom of Portugal Denis I of Portugal, also known as Denis the Farmer King, was a significant figure in Portuguese history, reigning as King from 1279 to 1325. He is most famous for his contributions to agriculture and the founding of the University of Coimbra. His reign marked a period of economic growth and cultural development in the Kingdom of Portugal.
Denis Leary Actor · Born 1957 · United States Denis Leary is an American actor and comedian best known for his role as Tommy Gavin in the television series Rescue Me. He also appeared in films like The Ref and voiced Diego in the Ice Age animated movies. Leary has a distinctive comedic style that often includes biting sarcasm and social commentary. Denis O'Hare Actor · Born 1962 · United States Denis O'Hare is an American actor best known for his roles in the TV series American Horror Story and the film Milk. He has also appeared in the movie Dallas Buyers Club. His performances often stand out for their intensity and depth. Denis Ménochet Actor · Born 1976 · France Denis Ménochet is a French actor best known for his role as Perrier LaPadite in Quentin Tarantino's film Inglourious Basterds. Born in 1976, he has also appeared in movies like The Program and By the Grace of God.

Celebrity babies named Denis

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Denis Westhoff Françoise Sagan film director ★★★★★

Denis – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Boys 2025 #1 — 836
AL Boys 0 #3 1,486 5,122
SI Boys 0 #6 635 3,402
AL 0 #9 83 2,372
RU Boys 0 #9 17,258 12,621
BI 0 #12 1 425
KR Girls 0 #15 1 572
MD Boys 0 #16 152 756
HN 0 #17 6 704
HN Boys 0 #21 36 749
BF Boys 0 #22 5 439
MD 0 #22 13 434
TM Boys 0 #22 15 614
HT Girls 0 #23 1 950
SV Boys 0 #23 6 352
EE Boys 0 #24 170 2,087
RU 0 #24 476 3,641
SI 0 #25 74 1,612
KZ Boys 0 #26 1,349 6,578
EE 0 #31 7 1,051
HT Boys 0 #31 4 903
BI Girls 0 #33 1 726
HR Boys 0 #34 1,743 3,997
BI Boys 0 #36 9 917
ID 0 #37 3 2,238
HN Girls 0 #38 1 884
MT 0 #42 2 1,767
AZ 0 #43 1 706
CM 0 #43 13 2,592
GE 0 #43 2 997
BG Boys 0 #44 476 3,850
KZ 0 #50 42 1,452
MO 0 #52 1 2,706
BG 0 #58 23 1,799
LU 0 #58 9 2,830
RS Boys 0 #59 159 2,277
CY 0 #60 1 1,632
LT Boys 0 #62 160 2,166
HR 0 #65 174 2,081
CZ Boys 0 #71 867 6,530
IN 0 #71 1 2,963
AO 0 #72 6 2,729
JP 0 #73 5 4,057
RS 0 #74 11 923
AF 0 #76 1 1,883
LT 0 #77 11 949
MV Boys 0 #78 2 3,375
CN 0 #83 4 3,857
CY Boys 0 #90 40 3,473
GE Boys 0 #91 19 2,055
MD Girls 0 #92 1 865
AF Girls 0 #93 2 2,402
LU Boys 0 #96 141 4,970
TW 0 #98 6 4,523
ID Girls 0 #102 1 3,319
QA 0 #102 5 7,011
SD 0 #102 1 2,130
PH 0 #109 2 5,607
CM Boys 0 #110 1,179 12,054
PL Boys 0 #111 658 6,459
BN Girls 0 #114 1 5,459
HU 0 #115 1 1,675
EC 0 #117 5 2,502
OM 0 #119 3 6,215
KW 0 #120 2 5,216
GR 0 #121 14 3,911
PA 0 #121 10 3,797
MU 0 #122 15 3,613
Switzerland Boys 2024 #124 14 1,769
Germany Boys 0 #125 4,538 5,697
AZ Boys 0 #128 4 1,400
IT Boys 0 #128 19,488 10,046
ID Boys 0 #129 7 4,130
Norway Boys 2024 #131 6 437
BN Boys 0 #133 7 6,332
Austria Boys 0 #135 608 2,180
GR Boys 0 #135 149 6,912
CZ 0 #137 50 3,154
MT Boys 0 #137 41 4,064
RS Girls 0 #137 1 1,651
CR 0 #141 18 5,526
EE Girls 0 #142 1 1,888
BR Boys 0 #145 2,920 12,213
BW Boys 0 #146 9 4,685
IL Boys 0 #150 1,068 10,983
HU Boys 0 #156 19 3,954
GT Boys 0 #159 714 7,625
PS Boys 0 #160 724 10,655
SI Girls 0 #160 15 2,769
CR Boys 0 #161 637 10,188
PA Girls 0 #163 469 9,861
PR Girls 0 #164 4 3,171
PR Boys 0 #165 10 2,508
UY Boys 0 #165 520 5,922
Belgium Boys 2024 #166 23 401
MU Boys 0 #167 225 8,477
PS 0 #175 44 5,692
UY 0 #175 8 2,477
Austria 0 #176 38 850
Sweden Boys 2022 #178 5 1,509
AE 0 #180 8 10,220
PE Boys 0 #180 2,949 14,506
IR 0 #181 49 4,221
IR Boys 0 #182 915 10,162
GT 0 #183 136 5,948
AR 0 #188 6 2,915
LU Girls 0 #189 2 4,850
BG Girls 0 #194 30 3,559
AL Girls 0 #197 26 4,141
PL 0 #197 16 2,600
EC Boys 0 #199 41 3,322
DK 0 #201 6 5,198
MO Boys 0 #205 19 5,842
PT Boys 0 #208 190 7,951
AO Boys 0 #211 32 5,568
TW Boys 0 #211 31 7,111
AO Girls 0 #214 4 4,575
IL 0 #214 61 6,291
BO Boys 0 #217 799 9,244
NA Boys 0 #221 15 6,830
PA Boys 0 #224 366 9,305
EC Girls 0 #226 14 3,650
DK Boys 0 #228 98 7,401
GH 0 #228 16 5,396
CO Girls 0 #234 3,317 16,140
Germany 0 #234 234 2,542
JP Boys 0 #234 64 7,909
NA Girls 0 #237 1 7,146
PT 0 #237 10 4,161
BD 0 #241 1 5,992
BR 0 #243 104 5,969
GR Girls 0 #245 5 6,293
PE 0 #249 62 6,350
France Girls 1953 #252 4 1,001
NG 0 #253 12 5,926
SG 0 #254 16 11,010
AR Boys 0 #255 317 7,628
IT 0 #256 981 4,183
JM Boys 0 #258 15 6,876
CN Boys 0 #263 58 9,639
MO Girls 0 #263 1 7,056
TW Girls 0 #263 14 8,139
BO 0 #269 113 6,868
HR Girls 0 #270 20 3,687
AF Boys 0 #273 2 3,535
JM Girls 0 #275 4 7,507
GH Boys 0 #285 62 8,138
SA 0 #286 10 10,560
Finland Boys 0 #288 146 2,041
Canada Boys 2024 #292 15 2,588
Spain Boys 0 #294 1,366 5,610
Finland 0 #296 12 830
Canada Girls 1992 #305 9 2,320
MY 0 #309 22 12,352
CZ Girls 0 #313 29 5,378
HK 0 #317 32 8,483
CL Boys 0 #318 588 13,390
KZ Girls 0 #324 9 5,862
DK Girls 0 #329 1 7,429
France Boys 2021 #332 56 2,865
GH Girls 0 #336 2 6,973
JO Girls 0 #339 1 7,570
QA Girls 0 #341 3 15,378
PH Boys 0 #348 36 11,440
CL 0 #351 61 6,867
CN Girls 0 #358 2 8,829
NL 0 #359 33 2,481
MU Girls 0 #361 2 8,539
PL Girls 0 #361 4 5,096
MX 0 #367 47 8,339
HK Boys 0 #368 166 12,905
Spain 0 #378 75 2,326
RU Girls 0 #382 120 11,913
Finland Boys 2026 #386 415 3,552
JO Boys 0 #387 3 7,057
CO 0 #392 89 7,768
CL Girls 0 #393 628 14,098
YE 0 #396 3 8,639
Austria Girls 0 #399 22 1,885
SD Boys 0 #399 47 10,523
EG 0 #409 4 6,387
ZA 0 #412 36 14,421
OM Girls 0 #423 2 15,987
MX Girls 0 #429 1,527 17,781
GT Girls 0 #453 53 7,500
PT Girls 0 #470 2 7,952
NL Boys 0 #472 613 5,873
UY Girls 0 #479 32 6,731
AR Girls 0 #483 117 8,289
IQ Girls 0 #488 17 11,303
CM Girls 0 #493 48 11,671
CR Girls 0 #495 38 11,342
NG Boys 0 #497 634 16,906
IR Girls 0 #503 28 8,334
PS Girls 0 #507 17 10,981
CO Boys 0 #514 508 15,656
LY 0 #518 18 12,703
BO Girls 0 #531 81 9,488
BH 0 #537 17 17,937
KW Girls 0 #561 1 19,177
SG Girls 0 #573 14 18,916
SG Boys 0 #579 119 17,960
IL Girls 0 #580 38 11,648
AE Girls 0 #593 5 20,968
HK Girls 0 #601 15 16,104
BD Boys 0 #602 4 10,045
QA Boys 0 #611 97 18,093
PE Girls 0 #627 357 14,861
IQ Boys 0 #633 35 13,071
LB 0 #647 12 13,263
IN Girls 0 #653 2 13,121
ZA Boys 0 #681 585 25,619
MY Boys 0 #687 463 25,439
KW Boys 0 #698 72 18,755
SY 0 #716 13 11,684
MX Boys 0 #742 244 16,355
NG Girls 0 #745 42 15,093
Germany Girls 0 #766 73 4,949
TN 0 #789 41 13,765
United States Boys 2024 #790 103 7,044
OM Boys 0 #815 67 17,948
IT Girls 0 #818 779 9,415
Spain Girls 0 #833 151 5,561
EG Boys 0 #850 37 15,035
AE Boys 0 #876 218 22,615
BR Girls 0 #902 40 12,708
United States Girls 2024 #909 8 8,487
SA Girls 0 #921 15 25,931
NL Girls 0 #926 30 5,933
TR 0 #930 291 19,440
IN Boys 0 #954 48 16,750
MY Girls 0 #964 31 24,821
EG Girls 0 #1,008 2 14,742
MA 0 #1,020 109 20,986
ZA Girls 0 #1,110 32 25,928
DZ 0 #1,113 64 20,130
SA Boys 0 #1,434 181 28,008

Denis is popular in 98 countries — most recent births per country:

France
Ireland
Norway
Canada
Scotland, United Kingdom

Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!

People also ask about Denis

Denis is predominantly a boy's name.
Denis is a 2 syllable name, pronounced English: DEN-iss (/ˈdɛnɪs/),French: də-NEE (/dəˈni/; approx. duh-NEE).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Dennis, Denys, Denijs, Dénis and Denise (feminine).
Across languages, Denis has these equivalents: Dionysius (Greek/Latin), Dionisio (Spanish, Italian), Dionís (Catalan), Dionísio (Portuguese), Denys (Ukrainian).
Yes, very popular — Denis ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 10 countries.
Denis ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Denis's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #1 in 2015 to #1 in 2025 in Ireland.
Yes — 10 notable people named Denis are in our database, including Denis Sassou-Nguesso (Politician), Denis Pushilin (Politician), Denis I of Portugal (Politician|royal).
Yes — at least 1 celebrity couple has chosen Denis for their child, including Françoise Sagan.