"valley dweller"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Dena
Pronunciation: [ d-EEN-uh ]
Does Dena flow with your last name?
A valley name bridging cultures and genders
American
Hebrew
Persian
Vintage
Gentle
Unique
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Dena
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Meaning & Origin
"judgment, vindicated"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
"religion, faith"
Origin: Persian
Language: Persian
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Things to Know About This Name
- Primarily considered a feminine name in most cultures, may cause gender confusion
The Story of Dena
Dena as a masculine name is an unusual usage of what is primarily a feminine given name. It derives from multiple sources: Old English denu meaning valley or dale, the Hebrew name Dinah meaning judgment or vindicated, and Persian Dena meaning religion or faith. As a masculine name, it appears to be an American innovation or cross-cultural carry-over, possibly treating the name as a variant of Dean.
Dena is predominantly used as a feminine name (variant of Deena or Dinah) in English-speaking cultures. Its use as a masculine given name is uncommon and likely reflects either cultural background (Persian or South Asian naming) or parental preference for gender-neutral names.
In Hebrew tradition, Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah in the Bible, making the name carry strong feminine biblical associations. In Persian culture, Dena is a female name meaning religious or faithful. As a masculine choice, it represents a cross-cultural or gender-expansive naming decision.
Historical Record
Dena first appeared in US Social Security records in 1964.
Over 56 babies have been named Dena in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dena is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #16,643 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Dinah/Dena appears in the Book of Genesis as the only named daughter of the patriarch Jacob
- Dena is a city in Iran (Dena County, Kohgiluyeh), also lending geographic significance
- The Old English denu (valley) root gave rise to place names across England, including many Dens and Deans
Dena in Other Languages
Arabic
Dina
Hebrew
Dinah
English
Dean (masculine form)
Persian
Dena
Popularity Over Time
#16,643
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dena
D
Dinah
Religious
Biblical figure, daughter of Jacob and Leah in the Book of Genesis; Dena is a variant of this name
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Compare Dena with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #16,643
- Total SSA Count
- 7
- Cultural Origins
- American Hebrew Persian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Den
Dee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dena
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Dena is also used as a girl name, ranked #4802.
View Dena as a girl name →Similar Names
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Latin origin
"blooming, flourishing"
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Sanskrit lok origin
"sight, the act of seeing clearly"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dena
What does the name Dena mean?
"valley dweller" (from Old English). "judgment, vindicated" (from Hebrew). "religion, faith" (from Persian). Dena as a masculine name is an unusual usage of what is primarily a feminine given name. It derives from multiple sources: Old English denu meaning valley or dale, the Hebrew name Dinah meaning judgment or vindicated, and Persian Dena meaning religion or faith. As a masculine name, it appears to be an American innovation or cross-cultural carry-over, possibly treating the name as a variant of Dean.
What is the origin of the name Dena?
Dena has Old English, Hebrew, Persian, and American origins. In Old English, it means "valley dweller". In Hebrew, it means "judgment, vindicated". In Persian, it means "religion, faith".
Is Dena a boy or girl name?
Dena is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #16643. As a girl name, it is ranked #4802. Dena is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Dena?
Dena is pronounced d-EEN-uh.
How popular is the name Dena?
Dena is currently ranked #16643 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dena?
Common nicknames for Dena include Den and Dee.
What are good middle names for Dena?
Popular middle name pairings include Dena James, Dena Lee, Dena Ray, Dena Alan, Dena Scott, Dena Wayne, and Dena Paul.
What are good sibling names for Dena?
Names that pair well with Dena as siblings include Dana, Dean, Dena, Dinah, Deena, Dion, and Dana.
How many syllables does Dena have?
Dena has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dena a common or rare name?
Dena is an uncommon name, ranked #16643 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Dena?
About the Name Dena
Dena is a boy name with American, Hebrew, and Persian origins . The name means "valley dweller" in Old English .
Is Dena a boy or girl name? Dena is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #16,643 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #4,802. Dena is more commonly used as a girl name.
Dena is currently ranked #16,643 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Dena has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-EEN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dena include Den and Dee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dena include Denver, Dennis, Denzel, Denim, Denis . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis