"devoted to the god of wine and festivity"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Denise
Pronunciation: [ d-ihn-EES ]
Does Denise flow with your last name?
A French classic with Grecian roots in celebration
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English
American
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Denise
Denise is the French feminine form of Denis, which derives from the Greek Dionysios, meaning follower or devotee of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, festivity, and the arts. The name traveled from the Greek through Latin Dionysius to the French Saint Denis, patron saint of France, whose name became one of the most popular in French-speaking countries.
Denise was a top name in the US and France from the 1940s through the 1970s, peaking in the US around the 1950s-60s. It has declined since then as generational naming cycles moved on, though it retains warmth as a vintage revival candidate.
Saint Denis was the first Bishop of Paris and became France's patron saint after his martyrdom around 250 AD. The name carried enormous prestige in French Catholic culture for centuries.
Historical Record
Denise first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 360,633 babies have been named Denise in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Denise is past its peak , currently ranked #1,898 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Denis (San Dionysio) is the patron saint of France
- Denise was a top-20 name for American girls from 1950 to 1969
- Dionysus, the Greek god the name derives from, was the god of wine and theater
Denise in Other Languages
French
Denise
German
Denise
Italian
Dionisia
Spanish
Denisa
Portuguese
Denise
Popularity Over Time
#1,898
Current Rank
Peaked 1955
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Denise
D
Denise Lewis
Athlete
1972
British Olympic gold medal heptathlete
D
Denise Richards
Actor
1971
American actress known for Wild Things and Starship Troopers
D
Denise Huxtable Fictional
Other
Character played by Lisa Bonet on The Cosby Show and its spinoff A Different World
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Compare Denise with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,898
- Total SSA Count
- 105
- Cultural Origins
- French English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Deni
Dee
Nisa
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Denise
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Denise is also used as a boy name, ranked #29207.
View Denise as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Denise
What does the name Denise mean?
"devoted to the god of wine and festivity" (from Greek). Denise is the French feminine form of Denis, which derives from the Greek Dionysios, meaning follower or devotee of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, festivity, and the arts. The name traveled from the Greek through Latin Dionysius to the French Saint Denis, patron saint of France, whose name became one of the most popular in French-speaking countries.
What is the origin of the name Denise?
Denise has Greek, French, English, and American origins. In Greek, it means "devoted to the god of wine and festivity".
Is Denise a boy or girl name?
Denise is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1898. As a boy name, it is ranked #29207. Denise is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Denise?
Denise is pronounced d-ihn-EES.
How popular is the name Denise?
Denise is currently ranked #1898 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Denise?
Common nicknames for Denise include Deni, Dee, and Nisa.
What are good middle names for Denise?
Popular middle name pairings include Denise Marie, Denise Louise, Denise Ann, Denise Michelle, Denise Renee, and Denise Claire.
What are good sibling names for Denise?
Names that pair well with Denise as siblings include Diane, Michelle, Renee, Patrice, Bernard, and Claude.
How many syllables does Denise have?
Denise has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Denise a common or rare name?
Denise is an uncommon name, ranked #1898 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Denise?
About the Name Denise
Denise is a girl name with French, English, and American origins . The name means "devoted to the god of wine and festivity" in Greek .
Is Denise a boy or girl name? Denise is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,898 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #29,207. Denise is more commonly used as a girl name.
Denise is currently ranked #1,898 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Denise has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-ihn-EES, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Denise include Deni, Dee, and Nisa. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Denise include Denisse, Denim, Deniz . 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