"beloved"
Origin: Hebrew via Welsh
Language: English
Dewey
Pronunciation: [ d-OO-ee ]
Does Dewey flow with your last name?
A beloved Welsh saint's name with vintage American charm
Welsh
English
American
Vintage
Playful
Earthy
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Dewey
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Dewey
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"holy one (of Dewi/David)"
Origin: Welsh
Language: Welsh
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Dewey
See all →What the Dewey report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Dewey the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Dewey
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Dewey head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Dewey actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the Dewey Decimal System in libraries, which some find charming, others nerdy
The Story of Dewey
Dewey is an anglicized form of the Welsh name Dewi, itself a form of David, derived from the Hebrew Dod meaning beloved or uncle. Saint Dewi (Saint David) is the patron saint of Wales, making this name deeply tied to Welsh religious and national identity. As an American name, it carries a homespun, early 20th-century feel.
Dewey was popular in the US from the 1880s to 1940s, partly boosted by Admiral George Dewey, hero of the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898. The Dewey Decimal Classification system, created by Melvil Dewey in 1876, also kept the name in public consciousness. It has since faded but retains vintage charm.
Saint Dewi (Saint David) is the patron saint of Wales, and March 1st is Saint David's Day, a major Welsh national holiday. The Dewey Decimal System shaped how the world organizes knowledge in libraries from the 1870s through today.
Historical Record
Dewey first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 10,195 babies have been named Dewey in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dewey is past its peak , currently ranked #3,607 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Dewi (the Welsh form) is the patron saint of Wales, celebrated on March 1st
- Melvil Dewey created the Dewey Decimal Classification system in 1876 at age 24
Dewey in Other Languages
Welsh
Dewi
French
Dewey
Hebrew
David (root)
Spanish
Dewey
Popularity Over Time
#3,607
Current Rank
Peaked 1951
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dewey
M
Melvil Dewey
Other
1851
American librarian who created the Dewey Decimal Classification system in 1876
A
Admiral George Dewey
Military
1837
American naval hero of the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War (1898)
D
Dewey (Malcolm in the Middle) Fictional
Entertainer
Youngest of the main brothers in the TV series Malcolm in the Middle, known for artistic sensitivity
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Asai
Boy
"morning glory, morning well (depending on kanji)"
#3,419
Lander
Boy
"from the long shore"
#3,731
Zakariah
Boy
"remembered by God"
#3,450
Kitt
Boy
"bearer of Christ"
#3,409
Charlee
Boy
"man, husband"
#3,535
Compare Dewey with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,607
- Total SSA Count
- 31
- Cultural Origins
- Welsh English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Dew
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English 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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dewey
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Dewey fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Dewey is also used as a girl name, ranked #70767.
View Dewey as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Dewey →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Dewey with...
Same Origin Names (Welsh)
See all Welsh names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Dewey
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Dewey and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Dewey sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Asai
Boy
Japanese origin
"morning glory, morning well (dependin..."
#3,419 in US
Lander
Boy
Old English origin
"from the long shore"
#3,731 in US
Zakariah
Boy
Hebrew origin
"remembered by God"
#3,450 in US
Kitt
Boy
Greek origin
"bearer of Christ"
#3,409 in US
Charlee
Boy
Old English origin
"man, husband"
#3,535 in US
Zylon
Boy
Greek origin
"from the forest"
#3,666 in US
Tavon
Boy
American English origin
"phonetic American invention"
#3,555 in US
Creighton
Boy
Old English 'creg' + 'tun' origin
"estate by the cliff"
#3,790 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Dewey's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dewey
What does the name Dewey mean?
"beloved" (from Hebrew via Welsh). "holy one (of Dewi/David)" (from Welsh). Dewey is an anglicized form of the Welsh name Dewi, itself a form of David, derived from the Hebrew Dod meaning beloved or uncle. Saint Dewi (Saint David) is the patron saint of Wales, making this name deeply tied to Welsh religious and national identity. As an American name, it carries a homespun, early 20th-century feel.
What is the origin of the name Dewey?
Dewey has Hebrew via Welsh, Welsh, English, and American origins. In Hebrew via Welsh, it means "beloved". In Welsh, it means "holy one (of Dewi/David)".
Is Dewey a boy or girl name?
Dewey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3607. As a girl name, it is ranked #70767. Dewey is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Dewey?
Dewey is pronounced d-OO-ee.
How popular is the name Dewey?
Dewey is currently ranked #3607 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dewey?
Common nicknames for Dewey include Dew.
What are good middle names for Dewey?
Popular middle name pairings include Dewey James, Dewey Wayne, Dewey Lee, Dewey Ray, Dewey Grant, Dewey Allen, and Dewey Paul.
What are good sibling names for Dewey?
Names that pair well with Dewey as siblings include Louie, Rudy, Huey, Nellie, Mabel, Gertie, and Floyd.
How many syllables does Dewey have?
Dewey has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dewey a common or rare name?
Dewey is an uncommon name, ranked #3607 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Dewey
Dewey is a boy name with Welsh, English, and American origins . The name means "beloved" in Hebrew via Welsh .
Is Dewey a boy or girl name? Dewey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,607 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,767. Dewey is more commonly used as a boy name.
Dewey is currently ranked #3,607 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Dewey has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-OO-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dewey include Dew. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew via Welsh Names
Browse all names with this origin
D
Names Starting with D
More boy names like Dewey
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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