Boy Name · Greek Origin
Dennis
Dennis is one of those rare names that reads modern and timeless at once. At its root, Dennis means "Follower of Dionysus", an old idea that still resonates with parents looking for substance under the sound. With Greek provenance, Dennis reads as a name with a passport — at home in multiple cultures and centuries. Our reviewers flagged Dennis as a strong "first introduction" name: it teaches and reads cleanly in print, on a name tag, and over the phone.
In the US Social Security Administration data, Dennis currently sits in the top 100, which makes it a widely-loved mainstream favorite. The popularity curve has been notably even over the last decade, which means classmates named Dennis are likely without it feeling overdone. Stylistically it reads clean and unfussy, equally workable in a board meeting or a kindergarten roll call. If Denis is already on your list, Dennis belongs in the same conversation; the sections below dig into pronunciation, nicknames, and sibling fits.
Dennis meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Follower of Dionysus
Origin: Greek naming roots help connect Dennis to related Greek baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Dennis as D·E·N·N·I·S, with 6 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Dennis is a widely-loved, instantly-recognizable pick in the Top 100 tier.
Dennis variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Dennisa, Dennise, Dennisy, Denni.
- Nicknames: Den and D.
- Middle names: Pair Dennis with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Dennis middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Denis, Denise, Denese, Denisa, Dimas — full picks on the sibling names for Dennis guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Dennis? Browse our names like Dennis guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Dennis
What does the name Dennis mean?
Dennis means "Follower of Dionysus" and is of Greek origin.
What is the origin of Dennis?
Dennis originates in Greek naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Dennis?
Dennis has 6 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Dennis a boy's or girl's name?
Dennis is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Dennis in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Dennis sits in the Top 100 tier — a widely-loved, instantly-recognizable pick.
What names are similar to Dennis?
Names that share Dennis's sound and style include Denis, Denise, Denese, Denisa, Dimas.
What middle names pair well with Dennis?
Good middle-name fits for Dennis pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Dennis is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Dennis is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Dennis?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Dennis share its rhythm without rhyming — Denis, Denise, Denese all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.