Dean
Every Dean since 1880 — 195,844 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Dean
Dean is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #125 in 2025 with 2,876 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 195,844 American babies have been named Dean. Its peak came in 1961, when 4,967 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Dean stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Dean year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | #13,626 | 2,876 | #125 |
| 2024 | 5 | #15,868 | 2,549 | #142 |
| 2023 | 5 | #15,773 | 2,289 | #159 |
| 2022 | — | — | 2,265 | #164 |
| 2021 | 9 | #10,485 | 2,352 | #166 |
| 2020 | 5 | #15,706 | 2,165 | #176 |
| 2019 | — | — | 2,220 | #174 |
| 2018 | 8 | #11,667 | 2,257 | #172 |
| 2017 | — | — | 2,083 | #187 |
| 2016 | 8 | #12,058 | 1,966 | #205 |
| 2015 | — | — | 1,950 | #204 |
| 2014 | 6 | #15,053 | 1,711 | #222 |
| 2013 | — | — | 1,512 | #240 |
| 2012 | — | — | 1,380 | #260 |
| 2011 | 6 | #15,314 | 1,235 | #284 |
| 2010 | — | — | 1,183 | #286 |
| 2009 | — | — | 1,061 | #304 |
| 2008 | — | — | 951 | #344 |
| 2007 | — | — | 906 | #351 |
| 2006 | — | — | 779 | #384 |
| 2005 | 8 | #12,120 | 756 | #383 |
| 2004 | — | — | 746 | #372 |
| 2003 | — | — | 685 | #383 |
| 2002 | — | — | 711 | #371 |
| 2001 | 5 | #15,958 | 744 | #356 |
| 2000 | — | — | 696 | #376 |
| 1995 | — | — | 769 | #333 |
| 1990 | 5 | #13,490 | 894 | #286 |
| 1985 | 5 | #11,061 | 801 | #267 |
| 1980 | 14 | #5,037 | 817 | #267 |
| 1975 | 16 | #3,986 | 1,025 | #211 |
| 1970 | 31 | #2,408 | 2,941 | #112 |
| 1965 | 27 | #2,308 | 4,096 | #88 |
| 1960 | 36 | #1,896 | 4,518 | #94 |
| 1955 | 32 | #1,889 | 3,084 | #111 |
| 1950 | 35 | #1,582 | 2,337 | #120 |
| 1945 | 45 | #1,175 | 1,585 | #136 |
| 1940 | 47 | #1,047 | 1,223 | #143 |
| 1935 | 47 | #1,006 | 1,435 | #120 |
| 1930 | 63 | #918 | 1,365 | #129 |
| 1925 | 57 | #992 | 1,195 | #140 |
| 1920 | 47 | #1,090 | 788 | #180 |
| 1915 | 39 | #1,079 | 453 | #225 |
| 1910 | 12 | #1,353 | 53 | #347 |
| 1905 | 7 | #1,573 | 42 | #311 |
| 1900 | 13 | #1,066 | 46 | #308 |
| 1895 | 12 | #942 | 20 | #441 |
| 1890 | 8 | #1,024 | 25 | #352 |
| 1885 | — | — | 10 | #614 |
| 1880 | — | — | 14 | #488 |
Famous people named Dean
- Dean Martin Musician · 1917–1995
- Dean Koontz Writer · b. 1945
- Dean Reed Actor · 1938–1986
- Dean Cain Actor · b. 1966
- Dean Acheson Diplomat · 1893–1971
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Dean in 2025?
Dean ranked #125 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 2,876 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Dean?
195,844 babies have been named Dean in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Dean most popular?
Dean peaked in 1961, when 4,967 newborns received the name.
Is Dean a boy or girl name?
Dean is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Dean rising or falling?
Dean is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Dean?
Well-known people named Dean include Dean Martin (musician), Dean Koontz (writer), Dean Reed (actor).