Given name & surname
Denny
“a follower of Dionysus”·“follower of Dionysus”
Denny is a variant of Dennis. One French interpretation is “a follower of Dionysus.” Its derivation is not certain. Denny is a variant of Denise. In French use, Denise carries the interpretation “follower of Dionysus.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Denny is a variant of Dennis. One French interpretation is “a follower of Dionysus.” Its derivation is not certain. Denny is a variant of Denise. In French use, Denise carries the interpretation “follower of Dionysus.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Denny is a variant of Dennis. A possible origin is Greek, although the derivation remains uncertain.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In English usage, Denny is a diminutive of Dennis. In English usage, Denny is a diminutive of Denis.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1889. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Denny through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 15,819
- 15,417 boys · 402 girls
- Most popular year
- 1947
- 445 babies
- 2025
- 24
- #4,284 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −12%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 24 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 4,284 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 7.5% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 439 in 1947. In 2025, Washington had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (5). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 12,121 as a first name in 2020; 16,304 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Denny’s family of names
In English usage, Denny is a diminutive of Dennis. Denny has a related form in Denise. Denny is an affectionate form of Dennis.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Denny has relatives in 3 languages.
6 related names in 3 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 8
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 1
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Denny
- Denny HulmeNew Zealand racing driver (1936–1992)
- Denny LandzaatDutch footballer (born 1976)
- Denny DohertyCanadian singer (1940–2007)
- Denny MorrisonCanadian speed skater (born 1985)
- Denny VrandečićCroatian computer scientistborn 1978
- Denny HeckLieutenant Governor of Washington since 2021born 1952
- Denny HamlinAmerican racing driver and team owner (born 1980)
- Denny MillerAmerican actor (1934-2014)
- Denny TamakiJapanese politicianborn 1959
Characters named Denny: The Spirit (fictional character).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Denny, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Ronny
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Dian
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Benny
“a pretty and charming girl” · “son of the south; son of the right hand”
96% boys · 4% girls
Danny
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97% boys · 3% girls
Don
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Donnie
“ruler of the world” · “a brown-haired chief”
99% boys · 1% girls
Dell
“from the small valley”
>99% boys