"son of Denis"
Origin: Portuguese/Latin
Language: Portuguese
Denilson
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A Brazilian football-inspired name with Roman roots
Brazilian
Portuguese
Latin American
Bold
Strong
Modern
Unique
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Meaning & Origin
"follower of Dionysus, god of wine"
Origin: Greek via Latin
Language: Portuguese
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The Story of Denilson
Denilson is a Brazilian-Portuguese compound name combining Denis (from the Latin Dionysius, god of wine and festivity in Greek mythology) with the English patronymic suffix '-son' (son of). This blend of Romance and Germanic elements is characteristic of Brazilian naming creativity. Denis/Dionysius was a popular name among early Christians, especially after Saint Denis became the patron saint of France.
Denilson rose to international prominence through Brazilian footballer Denilson de Oliveira Araujo, who won the 1997 Copa América and was one of the most expensive transfers in football history at the time. Brazilian parents embraced names of celebrated athletes, making Denilson popular in Brazil through the late 1990s and 2000s.
Brazil has a rich tradition of creative compound names and names inspired by football heroes. Footballers like Denilson, Ronaldinho, and Robinho became cultural icons whose names were adopted by an entire generation of Brazilian parents.
Historical Record
Denilson first appeared in US Social Security records in 1997.
Over 713 babies have been named Denilson in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Denilson is past its peak , currently ranked #4,234 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Brazilian footballer Denilson de Oliveira was sold to Real Betis in 1998 for a then-world-record fee of £21.5 million
- Brazil is known for some of the most creative and unique naming traditions in the world
- Denis/Dionysius names were popular among early Christian martyrs and saints
Denilson in Other Languages
English
Denilson
Spanish
Denilson
Portuguese
Denilson
Popularity Over Time
#4,234
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1998
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Denilson
D
Denilson Pereira Neves
Athlete
1988
Brazilian professional footballer who played for Arsenal FC and the Brazilian national team
D
Denilson de Oliveira Araujo
Athlete
1977
Brazilian professional footballer who played as a winger, known for dribbling skills. Won the 1997 Copa América and was ...
Brazilian professional footballer who played as a winger, known for dribbling skills. Won the 1997 Copa América and was once the world's most expensive player.
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Compare Denilson with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,234
- Total SSA Count
- 25
- Cultural Origins
- Brazilian Portuguese Latin American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Deni
Den
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Brazilian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Denilson
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Denilson
What does the name Denilson mean?
"son of Denis" (from Portuguese/Latin). "follower of Dionysus, god of wine" (from Greek via Latin). Denilson is a Brazilian-Portuguese compound name combining Denis (from the Latin Dionysius, god of wine and festivity in Greek mythology) with the English patronymic suffix '-son' (son of). This blend of Romance and Germanic elements is characteristic of Brazilian naming creativity. Denis/Dionysius was a popular name among early Christians, especially after Saint Denis became the patron saint of France.
What is the origin of the name Denilson?
Denilson has Portuguese/Latin, Greek via Latin, Brazilian, Portuguese, and Latin American origins. In Portuguese/Latin, it means "son of Denis". In Greek via Latin, it means "follower of Dionysus, god of wine".
Is Denilson a boy or girl name?
Denilson is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Denilson?
Denilson is currently ranked #4234 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Denilson?
Common nicknames for Denilson include Deni and Den.
What are good middle names for Denilson?
Popular middle name pairings include Denilson Rodrigo, Denilson Felipe, Denilson Eduardo, Denilson Marcos, Denilson Lucas, and Denilson Rafael.
What are good sibling names for Denilson?
Names that pair well with Denilson as siblings include Fabricio, Adriana, Wellington, Viviane, Nilson, and Patricia.
How many syllables does Denilson have?
Denilson has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Denilson a common or rare name?
Denilson is an uncommon name, ranked #4234 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Denilson?
About the Name Denilson
Denilson is a boy name with Brazilian, Portuguese, and Latin American origins . The name means "son of Denis" in Portuguese/Latin .
Denilson is currently ranked #4,234 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Denilson has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Denilson include Deni and Den. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Denilson include Denim, Denis, Deniz, Deniro . 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