Dean Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Dean Name Meaning

Fact: Dean & DeLuca is a chain of upscale grocery stores originally founded in New York City, known for gourmet food and high-quality products.

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A Deep Dive

Dean Overview

Meaning

Valley

Gender

Boy

Origin

English

Etymology

Derived from the Old English word “denu,” meaning “valley.” Over time, it evolved to indicate someone living in or near a valley, and also used as a title for a church official.

Pronunciation

/diːn/

Popularity

Dean is popular in several English-speaking countries and parts of Europe. In 2023, Dean ranked within the top 200 names for boys in the USA.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

4 letters

Numerology

6 (Nurturing, Responsible, Balanced)

Name Styles

Short, Classic, Cool

Associated Traits

Dependable, creative, adventurous, thoughtful

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

The name Dean is associated with ecclesiastical positions in Christianity, such as a Dean of a cathedral.

Name Day

August 30th (in some traditions, associated with Saint Fiacre, who is sometimes referred to as Dean Fiacre)
A Deep Dive

Dean Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Deane, Deen, Dene, Deyn

Common Nicknames

Deano, Denny

Diminutives

Dino, Dee

Famous People

  • James Dean
    (American Actor)
  • Dean Martin
    (American Singer and Actor)
  • Dean Koontz
    (American Author)
  • Dean Cain
    (American Actor)
  • Dean Norris
    (American Actor)
  • Dean Stockwell
    (American Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Dean Winchester
    ("Supernatural," TV Series)
  • "James Dean"
    (Film)
  • Dean Moriarty
    ("On the Road," Novel)
  • Dean Thomas
    ("Harry Potter," Novel Series)
  • Dean Pelton
    ("Community," TV Series)

Places

  • Dean Village
    (Edinburgh, Scotland)
  • Forest of Dean
    (Gloucestershire, England)
  • Dean's Blue Hole
    (Long Island, Bahamas)
  • Dean River
    (British Columbia, Canada)
  • Dean Street
    (London, England)

What Is the Meaning of Dean?

Dean means “valley” or “leader.” Those named Dean are often seen as grounded and dependable, conveying a sense of calm authority and reliability.

What Is the Origin of The Name Dean?

Dean is a name with English roots, originating from the Old English word ‘denu,’ meaning ‘valley.’ Initially used as a surname for those living in or near a valley, it eventually transitioned into a given name.”

Dean Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Dean in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1662021#1632022#1592023
Top 3 Rankings#781967#781968#841961

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Dean

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023159
(+4 from 2022)
2281
(+20 from 2022)
0.12457
2022163
(+3 from 2021)
2261
(-87 from 2021)
0.12072
2021166
(+10 from 2020)
2348
(+184 from 2020)
0.12532
2020176
(-2 from 2019)
2164
(-55 from 2019)
0.11699
2019174
(-2 from 2018)
2219
(-37 from 2018)
0.11547
2018172
(+15 from 2017)
2256
(+175 from 2017)
0.11606
2017187
(+18 from 2016)
2081
(+115 from 2016)
0.10515
2016205
(-1 from 2015)
1966
(+18 from 2015)
0.09706
2015204
(+18 from 2014)
1948
(+238 from 2014)
0.09528
2014222
(+17 from 2013)
1710
(+199 from 2013)
0.08345
2013239
(+21 from 2012)
1511
(+132 from 2012)
0.07478
2012260
(+24 from 2011)
1379
(+144 from 2011)
0.06796
2011284
(+1 from 2010)
1235
(+52 from 2010)
0.06080
2010285
(+19 from 2009)
1183
(+123 from 2009)
0.05758
2009304
(+39 from 2008)
1060
(+109 from 2008)
0.04998
2008343
(+8 from 2007)
951
(+45 from 2007)
0.04362
2007351
(+33 from 2006)
906
(+127 from 2006)
0.04090
2006384
No change from 2005
779
(+24 from 2005)
0.03553
2005384
(-12 from 2004)
755
(+9 from 2004)
0.03549
2004372
(+10 from 2003)
746
(+61 from 2003)
0.03530
2003382
(-11 from 2002)
685
(-26 from 2002)
0.03260
2002371
(-15 from 2001)
711
(-33 from 2001)
0.03440
2001356
(+20 from 2000)
744
(+48 from 2000)
0.03597
2000376
(-11 from 1999)
696
(-20 from 1999)
0.03333
1999365
(-19 from 1998)
716
(-54 from 1998)
0.03512
1998346
(-21 from 1997)
770
(-34 from 1997)
0.03798
1997325
(-13 from 1996)
804
(-39 from 1996)
0.04024
1996312
(+21 from 1995)
843
(+74 from 1995)
0.04207
1995333
(-21 from 1994)
769
(-66 from 1994)
0.03823
1994312
(+5 from 1993)
835
(-1 from 1993)
0.04096
1993317
(-2 from 1992)
836
No change from 1992
0.04047
1992315
No change from 1991
836
(+16 from 1991)
0.03983
1991315
(-29 from 1990)
820
(-74 from 1990)
0.03868
1990286
(-8 from 1989)
894
(+2 from 1989)
0.04154
1989278
(-7 from 1988)
892
(+29 from 1988)
0.04256
1988271
(-6 from 1987)
863
(+42 from 1987)
0.04310
1987265
(-1 from 1986)
821
(-17 from 1986)
0.04210
1986264
(+3 from 1985)
838
(+36 from 1985)
0.04361
1985267
(+8 from 1984)
802
(+40 from 1984)
0.04168
1984275
(+2 from 1983)
762
(+15 from 1983)
0.04060
1983277
(-5 from 1982)
747
(-21 from 1982)
0.04008
1982272
(+4 from 1981)
768
(+17 from 1981)
0.04070
1981276
(-9 from 1980)
751
(-67 from 1980)
0.04032
1980267
(-16 from 1979)
818
(-28 from 1979)
0.04410
1979251
(+12 from 1978)
846
(+74 from 1978)
0.04723
1978263
(-24 from 1977)
772
(-96 from 1977)
0.04518
1977239
(-10 from 1976)
868
(-21 from 1976)
0.05078
1976229
(-19 from 1975)
889
(-135 from 1975)
0.05445
1975210
(-26 from 1974)
1024
(-196 from 1974)
0.06312
1974184
(-16 from 1973)
1220
(-190 from 1973)
0.07484
1973168
(-13 from 1972)
1410
(-273 from 1972)
0.08738
1972155
(-18 from 1971)
1683
(-561 from 1971)
0.10053
1971137
(-25 from 1970)
2244
(-697 from 1970)
0.12344
1970112
(-23 from 1969)
2941
(-502 from 1969)
0.15440
196989
(-11 from 1968)
3443
(-356 from 1968)
0.18823
196878
No change from 1967
3799
(-116 from 1967)
0.21398
196778
(+6 from 1966)
3915
(-125 from 1966)
0.22001
196684
(+4 from 1965)
4040
(-58 from 1965)
0.22227
196588
(-3 from 1964)
4098
(-412 from 1964)
0.21630
196485
(+1 from 1963)
4510
(-105 from 1963)
0.22249
196386
No change from 1962
4615
(-39 from 1962)
0.22353
196286
(-2 from 1961)
4654
(-277 from 1961)
0.22144
196184
(+10 from 1960)
4931
(+413 from 1960)
0.22861
196094
(+1 from 1959)
4518
(+94 from 1959)
0.20865
195995
(+2 from 1958)
4424
(+120 from 1958)
0.20420
195897
(-4 from 1957)
4304
(-82 from 1957)
0.19973
195793
(+6 from 1956)
4386
(+674 from 1956)
0.20037
195699
(+12 from 1955)
3712
(+628 from 1955)
0.17295
1955111
(-1 from 1954)
3084
(-82 from 1954)
0.14754
1954110
(-5 from 1953)
3166
(+42 from 1953)
0.15301
1953105
(-3 from 1952)
3124
(-32 from 1952)
0.15603
1952102
(+3 from 1951)
3156
(+265 from 1951)
0.15994
1951105
(+15 from 1950)
2891
(+554 from 1950)
0.15123
1950120
(+9 from 1949)
2337
(+235 from 1949)
0.12849
1949129
(+14 from 1948)
2102
(+193 from 1948)
0.11665
1948143
(-3 from 1947)
1909
(-93 from 1947)
0.10708
1947140
(-8 from 1946)
2002
(+116 from 1946)
0.10777
1946132
(+4 from 1945)
1886
(+301 from 1945)
0.11428
1945136
(-2 from 1944)
1585
(+11 from 1944)
0.11557
1944134
(+8 from 1943)
1574
(+72 from 1943)
0.11331
1943142
(+9 from 1942)
1502
(+217 from 1942)
0.10326
1942151
(-8 from 1941)
1285
(-3 from 1941)
0.09124
1941143
No change from 1940
1288
(+65 from 1940)
0.10264
1940143
(-10 from 1939)
1223
(-73 from 1939)
0.10311
1939133
(-4 from 1938)
1296
(-42 from 1938)
0.11436
1938129
(-2 from 1937)
1338
(+24 from 1937)
0.11773
1937127
(-2 from 1936)
1314
(-18 from 1936)
0.12015
1936125
(-5 from 1935)
1332
(-103 from 1935)
0.12515
1935120
(-2 from 1934)
1435
(-41 from 1934)
0.13416
1934118
(+10 from 1933)
1476
(+166 from 1933)
0.13899
1933128
(-5 from 1932)
1310
(-106 from 1932)
0.12841
1932123
(+4 from 1931)
1416
(+70 from 1931)
0.13179
1931127
(+2 from 1930)
1346
(-19 from 1930)
0.12582
1930129
(+4 from 1929)
1365
(+78 from 1929)
0.12085
1929133
(+3 from 1928)
1287
No change from 1928
0.11620
1928136
(-3 from 1927)
1287
(-45 from 1927)
0.11278
1927133
(+6 from 1926)
1332
(+87 from 1926)
0.11464
1926139
(+1 from 1925)
1245
(+50 from 1925)
0.10869
1925140
(+4 from 1924)
1195
(+44 from 1924)
0.10378
1924144
(+9 from 1923)
1151
(+140 from 1923)
0.09846
1923153
(+5 from 1922)
1011
(+28 from 1922)
0.08929
1922158
(+10 from 1921)
983
(+107 from 1921)
0.08736
1921168
(+12 from 1920)
876
(+88 from 1920)
0.07698
1920180
(+1 from 1919)
788
(+66 from 1919)
0.07159
1919181
(+8 from 1918)
722
(+54 from 1918)
0.07111
1918189
(+14 from 1917)
668
(+109 from 1917)
0.06370
1917203
(+12 from 1916)
559
(+55 from 1916)
0.05827
1916215
(+10 from 1915)
504
(+51 from 1915)
0.05459
1915225
(+6 from 1914)
453
(+116 from 1914)
0.05142
1914231
(+22 from 1913)
337
(+113 from 1913)
0.04932
1913253
(-1 from 1912)
224
(+26 from 1912)
0.04177
1912252
(+15 from 1911)
198
(+104 from 1911)
0.04386
1911267
(+78 from 1910)
94
(+41 from 1910)
0.03894
1910345
(+10 from 1909)
53
(+9 from 1909)
0.02542
1909355
(-9 from 1908)
44
(+1 from 1908)
0.02488
1908346
(-15 from 1907)
43
(+2 from 1907)
0.02585
1907331
(+4 from 1906)
41
(+3 from 1906)
0.02585
1906335
(-24 from 1905)
38
(-4 from 1905)
0.02638
1905311
(+79 from 1904)
42
(+14 from 1904)
0.02932
1904390
(-20 from 1903)
28
(+1 from 1903)
0.02022
1903370
(-68 from 1902)
27
(-13 from 1902)
0.02088
1902302
(+12 from 1901)
40
(+8 from 1901)
0.03013
1901314
(-7 from 1900)
32
(-14 from 1900)
0.02768
1900307
(+55 from 1899)
46
(+21 from 1899)
0.02837
1899362
(+2 from 1898)
25
(-3 from 1898)
0.02170
1898364
(-79 from 1897)
28
(-12 from 1897)
0.02120
1897285
(+215 from 1896)
40
(+23 from 1896)
0.03280
1896500
(-63 from 1895)
17
(-3 from 1895)
0.01317
1895437
(-101 from 1894)
20
(-8 from 1894)
0.01579
1894336
(+143 from 1893)
28
(+13 from 1893)
0.02242
1893479
(-85 from 1892)
15
(-8 from 1892)
0.01239
1892394
(-61 from 1891)
23
(-3 from 1891)
0.01750
1891333
(+18 from 1890)
26
(+1 from 1890)
0.02380
1890351
(+37 from 1889)
25
(+4 from 1889)
0.02089
1889388
(+192 from 1888)
21
(+9 from 1888)
0.01764
1888580
(+51 from 1887)
12
(+3 from 1887)
0.00924
1887631
(-161 from 1886)
9
(-6 from 1886)
0.00823
1886470
(+134 from 1885)
15
(+5 from 1885)
0.01260
1885604
(-84 from 1884)
10
(-3 from 1884)
0.00862
1884520
(+7 from 1883)
13
(+1 from 1883)
0.01059
1883527
(+125 from 1882)
12
(+3 from 1882)
0.01067
1882652
(-236 from 1881)
9
(-8 from 1881)
0.00738
1881416
(+66 from 1880)
17
(+3 from 1880)
0.01570
1880482
First SSA data recorded
14
First SSA data recorded
0.01182

American States Popularity Rankings for Dean

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1532021#1582022#1632023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1712021#1732022#1792023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1482021#1422022#1162023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#1422021#1672022#1252023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1462021#1362022#1342023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#1322021#1292022#1242023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2062021#1892022#2042023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1862021#2042022#2142023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1512021#1122022#952023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1792021#2272022#2102023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#1492021#1352022#1542023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1692021#1432022#1452023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1402021#1292022#1452023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1922021#1892022#2022023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1632021#2232022#2092023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1012021#1072022#1202023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1222021#2072022#1312023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#1502021#1092022#732023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1372021#1372022#1232023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#582021#872022#702023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#1222021#1002022#1062023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2102021#1942022#1872023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1912021#2062022#1592023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1512021#2012022#1212023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1722019#1922020#1082023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2122021#2082022#2162023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1972021#2172022#2152023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2752021#2442022#2452023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2022021#2132022#1052023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1162021#1282022#1892023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#2362021#2312022#2412023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#802021#652022#832023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2352021#1512022#1862023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2502021#2492022#1882023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1752021#1662022#1502023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1472020#1092022#802023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1482020#1712021#1582023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3142021#2682022#2282023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#1862021#1882022#1292023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1232021#762022#2102023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#2132021#2702022#2142023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2332021#1702022#1532023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#1212021#2582022#1262023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1512020#1302021#2222022

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1262021#1112022#1412023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#942021#602022#1052023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1662021#2142022#2042023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1302013#852021#1102022

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#2512021#3452022#2022023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1122020#1592021#1872023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1162021#932022#1562023

Popularity Rankings for Dean in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#791998#841999#942007

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#1592021#1662022#1472023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1902021#2112022#2362023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2322021#2762022#4362023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#3652020#2452021#3342022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3242020#4012021#3632022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#4092019#3732020#3252023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3262021#4142022#3482023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#4902011#4802013#3852014

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#4302020#4482021#4282022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#6102019#6562020#5922021

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#5992017

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#8002023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Dean a Name for Boys or Girls?

While Dean is usually a boy’s name, it has also been used as a unisex name in modern times. Its short, simple nature and strong sound make it appealing for both boys and girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Dean

Dean in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • James Dean (Actor, 1931–1955): An iconic American actor who starred in "Rebel Without a Cause" and became a cultural icon of teenage disillusionment and social estrangement.
  • Dean Martin (Singer, 1917–1995): An American singer and actor who was part of the "Rat Pack" and starred in numerous films and TV shows.
  • Dean Koontz (Author, born 1945): A prolific American author famous for his suspense thrillers and horror novels.
  • Dean Cain (Actor, born 1966): An American actor best known for his role as superman in the TV series"Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman."
  • Dean Norris (Actor, born 1963): An American actor recognized for his role as Hank Schrader in the TV series "Breaking Bad."
  • Dean Stockwell (Actor, 1936–2021): An American actor with a career spanning over 70 years, best known for his role in the TV series "Quantum Leap."
  • Dean Geyer (Singer, born 1986): A South African-Australian singer-songwriter and actor who gained fame on Australian Idol.
  • Dean Devlin (Producer, born 1962): An American producer and screenwriter noted for his work on "Independence Day" and "Stargate."
  • Dean O'Gorman (Actor, born 1976): A New Zealand actor known for his role as Fili in "The Hobbit" film series.
  • Dean Malenko (Wrestler, born 1960): An American retired professional wrestler regarded as one of the greatest technical wrestlers in the history of the sport.
  • Dean Winchester ("Supernatural," 2005 TV Series): A demon hunter who travels across the country with his brother Sam to fight supernatural creatures.
  • "James Dean" (2001 Film): A biographical film about the iconic actor James Dean and his rise to fame in Hollywood.
  • Dean Moriarty ("On the Road," 1957 Novel by Jack Kerouac): A free-spirited and charismatic drifter who becomes friends with the narrator, Sal Paradise.
  • Dean Thomas ("Harry Potter," 1997 Novel Series by J.K. Rowling): A Gryffindor student at Hogwarts and a member of Dumbledore's Army.
  • Dean Pelton ("Community," 2009 TV Series): The eccentric and enthusiastic dean of Greendale Community College.
  • "Dean" (2016 Film): A comedy-drama about an illustrator named Dean struggling to move forward in life after the death of his mother.
  • Dean Forester ("Gilmore Girls," 2000 TV Series): Rory Gilmore's first boyfriend, known for his down-to-earth personality and loyalty.
  • Dean Craig Pelton ("Community," 2009 TV Series): The quirky and often cross-dressing dean of Greendale Community College.
  • "Dean Spanley" (2008 Film): A fantasy film about a man who begins to suspect that his father has been reincarnated as a dog.
  • Dean ("Far from Heaven," 2002 Film): A character involved in the complex social dynamics of 1950s suburban America.
  • Dean Village (Edinburgh, Scotland): A picturesque residential area on the Water of Leith, famous for its historic buildings and scenic beauty.
  • Dean Forest (Gloucestershire, England): A historic forest in the west of Gloucestershire, offering walking trails and wildlife spotting.
  • Dean's Blue Hole (Long Island, Bahamas): The world's second deepest blue hole, attracting divers from around the globe.
  • Dean Park (Kirkcaldy, Scotland): A public park in Kirkcaldy, featuring lush gardens and recreational facilities.
  • Dean River (British Columbia, Canada): A renowned fishing destination in British Columbia, especially popular for its wild steelhead trout.
  • Dean Village (Aberdeenshire, Scotland): A small hamlet in Aberdeenshire, noted for its tranquil rural setting.
  • Dean Street (London, England): A major street in the Soho district of London, bustling with shops, restaurants, and cultural venues.

Similar Names to Dean

Sibling Names for Dean