The nameDenys
Denys is an old spelling of Denis, still used in France and Britain.
- Boy's name
- Greek
- Feast day
Meaning
Denys comes from Dionysius, "devoted to Dionysus", the Greek god of wine.
Origin
Greek, through French.
History
Saint Denys, first bishop of Paris, gave his name to the basilica of Saint Denis.
Famous people named Denys
- Denys Finch Hatton, hunter in Out of Africa
- Denys Lasdun, architect
Popularity of the name Denys
Denys in the United States
Denys was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 128 births over the decade, 20% of all recorded babies named Denys. Its rise began around 1944, and it peaked in 1988. Half of all babies named Denys in the United States were born before 1988, so it is mostly a parents' generation name.
Denys in France
Denys was most popular in France in the 1950s, with 295 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Denys. Half of all babies named Denys in France were born before 1960, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name.
How many people are named Denys? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Denys with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Denys side by side with the name of your choice.
Denys in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Denys mean?
Denys comes from Dionysius, "devoted to Dionysus", the Greek god of wine.
What is the origin of the name Denys?
Greek, through French.
Is Denys a girl's or a boy's name?
Denys is a boy's name. In the United States, 67% of the babies named Denys are girls.
Who are famous people named Denys?
Denys Finch Hatton, hunter in Out of Africa; Denys Lasdun, architect.