"follower of Dionysus, god of wine"
Origin: Greek Dionysios
Language: French
Denis
Pronunciation: [ d-EHN-ihs ]
Boy Name
#1,643 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A French classic carried by saints and scholars
French
Russian
Eastern European
Spanish-speaking
Irish
Classic
Elegant
Minimalist
Vintage
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Denis
Denis is the French, Russian, and Eastern European form of Dennis, which derives from the medieval Latin Dionysius — from the Greek Dionysios, meaning 'follower of Dionysus,' the god of wine and ecstasy. Saint Denis (died c. 250 CE) was the first Bishop of Paris and is patron saint of France, making Denis a name of enormous cultural importance.
Denis has been common across France, Russia, Eastern Europe, and Ireland for centuries. In France it peaked in the mid-20th century. It remains a standard masculine name across multiple European countries.
In France, Denis is inseparable from Saint Denis, the patron saint who became a symbol of French national identity. The Basilica of Saint-Denis near Paris is the burial place of French kings. In Russia, Denis is simply a solid, classic masculine name.
Fun Facts
- Saint Denis is one of the 14 Holy Helpers of medieval Christianity
- Denis Diderot edited the 18th-century French Encyclopédie, one of the most ambitious intellectual projects in history
- The Paris suburb Saint-Denis contains the royal necropolis where French kings were buried for centuries
Denis in Other Languages
French
Denis
Russian
Денис
Spanish
Denis
Ukrainian
Денис
Portuguese
Denis/Dinis
Famous People Named Denis
D
Denis Villeneuve
Other
1967
Canadian film director known for Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, and the acclaimed Dune duology
D
Denis Leary
Actor
1957
American comedian and actor known for Rescue Me and stand-up comedy
D
Denis Diderot
Writer
1713
French Enlightenment philosopher and chief editor of the Encyclopédie
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,643
- Total SSA Count
- 103
- Cultural Origins
- French Russian Eastern European Spanish-speaking Irish
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Den
Deni
Denny
Pairs Well With
Denis Philippe
Denis Marc
Denis Patrick
Denis Pierre
Denis Antoine
Denis Julien
Denis Alexis
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Denis is also used as a girl name, ranked #14886.
View Denis as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Denis
What does the name Denis mean?
"follower of Dionysus, god of wine" (from Greek Dionysios). Denis is the French, Russian, and Eastern European form of Dennis, which derives from the medieval Latin Dionysius — from the Greek Dionysios, meaning 'follower of Dionysus,' the god of wine and ecstasy. Saint Denis (died c. 250 CE) was the first Bishop of Paris and is patron saint of France, making Denis a name of enormous cultural importance.
What is the origin of the name Denis?
Denis has Greek Dionysios, French, Russian, Eastern European, Spanish-speaking, and Irish origins. In Greek Dionysios, it means "follower of Dionysus, god of wine".
Is Denis a boy or girl name?
Denis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1643. As a girl name, it is ranked #14886. Denis is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Denis?
Denis is pronounced d-EHN-ihs.
How popular is the name Denis?
Denis is currently ranked #1643 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Denis?
Common nicknames for Denis include Den, Deni, and Denny.
What are good middle names for Denis?
Popular middle name pairings include Denis Philippe, Denis Marc, Denis Patrick, Denis Pierre, Denis Antoine, Denis Julien, and Denis Alexis.
What are good sibling names for Denis?
Names that pair well with Denis as siblings include Nicolas, Laurent, Sophie, Chloe, Fabien, Isabelle, and Thierry.
How many syllables does Denis have?
Denis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Denis a common or rare name?
Denis is an uncommon name, ranked #1643 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Denis
Denis is a boy name with French, Russian, Eastern European, Spanish-speaking, and Irish origins . The name means "follower of Dionysus, god of wine" in Greek Dionysios .
Is Denis a boy or girl name? Denis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,643 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #14,886. Denis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Denis is currently ranked #1,643 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Denis has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-EHN-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Denis include Den, Deni, and Denny. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Denis include Denim, Deniz, Denilson, Deniro . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.