Denys
Every Denys since 1944 — 641 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Denys
Denys is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1944, 641 American babies have been named Denys — about 66% girls and 34% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1988, when 30 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
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 Denys stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Denys 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 | — | — | 9 | #8,421 |
| 2024 | — | — | 9 | #8,488 |
| 2023 | — | — | 9 | #8,418 |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | 7 | #9,982 |
| 2020 | — | — | 5 | #12,500 |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | 5 | #12,635 |
| 2017 | — | — | 9 | #8,311 |
| 2016 | — | — | 9 | #8,306 |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | 5 | #12,533 |
| 2013 | — | — | 6 | #11,074 |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | 7 | #9,891 |
| 2010 | 6 | #15,475 | 9 | #8,309 |
| 2009 | — | — | 13 | #6,520 |
| 2008 | — | — | 7 | #10,131 |
| 2007 | 8 | #12,993 | — | — |
| 2006 | 10 | #10,801 | 9 | #8,166 |
| 2005 | — | — | 9 | #7,794 |
| 2004 | 6 | #14,635 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | 5 | #11,311 |
| 2002 | 6 | #14,063 | — | — |
| 2001 | 9 | #10,334 | 5 | #10,988 |
| 2000 | 13 | #7,703 | 6 | #9,389 |
| 1995 | 11 | #7,652 | — | — |
| 1990 | 7 | #10,505 | 5 | #8,442 |
| 1985 | 7 | #8,576 | — | — |
| 1980 | 9 | #6,923 | 5 | #6,488 |
| 1975 | 8 | #6,654 | — | — |
| 1970 | 10 | #5,141 | — | — |
| 1965 | 5 | #6,764 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | 9 | #3,741 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Denys
- Denys Arcand Film director · b. 1941
- Denys Shmyhal Politician · b. 1975
- Denys de La Patellière Film director · 1921–2013
- Denys Boyko Soccer player · b. 1988
- Denys Harmash Soccer player · b. 1990
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Denys in 2025?
Denys did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Denys?
641 babies have been named Denys in the United States since 1944, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Denys most popular?
Denys peaked in 1988, when 30 newborns received the name.
Is Denys a boy or girl name?
Denys is used for both: about 66% of babies named Denys have been girls and 34% boys.
Is the name Denys rising or falling?
Denys has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Denys?
Well-known people named Denys include Denys Arcand (film director), Denys Shmyhal (politician), Denys de La Patellière (film director).