Dean
Dean: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /diːn/
Meaning and origin of Dean
Root meaning: “valley”
- A surname transferred from the given name
- A male given name
- A male given name transferred from the surname
- A male given name originating as an occupation derived from the title.
Etymology
The surname or given name is of multiple origins, depending on context: * As an English surname, from Middle English dene (“valley”). * Also as an English surname, from the noun dean. Cognate to Deacon. * Also as an English surname, from the personal name Deyne, a rhyming form of Reynald (see Reginald). * As an Irish surname, variant of Deane. * As a Scottish surname, from Dean Castle in Kilmarnock, itself from the noun meaning valley. * Old English Dene (“Dane, Norseman”) * Hebrew דין (“law, judgment”) and Arabic دين (“way of life, creed”)
How popular is Dean?
Since 1880, 2,914 girls and 192,930 boys in the U.S. have been named Dean (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #763 in 1932. Its highest rank for boys was #78 in 1967. In 2025 it ranked #125 for boys, with 2,882 babies given the name.
Names similar to Dean
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Dean
Sister and brother names that share Dean's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Dean FAQ
What does the name Dean mean?
Dean traces back to a root meaning "valley". A surname transferred from the given name A male given name A male given name transferred from the surname A male given name originating as an occupation derived from the title. The surname or given name is of multiple origins, depending on context: * As an English surname, from Middle English dene (“valley”). * Also as an English surname, from the noun dean. Cognate to Deacon. * Also as an English surname, from the personal name Deyne, a rhyming form of Reynald (see Reginald). * As an Irish surname, variant of Deane. * As a Scottish surname, from Dean Castle in Kilmarnock, itself from the noun meaning valley. * Old English Dene (“Dane, Norseman”) * Hebrew דין (“law, judgment”) and Arabic دين (“way of life, creed”)
What is the origin of the name Dean?
Dean is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Dean?
Since 1880, 2,914 girls and 192,930 boys in the U.S. have been named Dean (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #763 in 1932. Its highest rank for boys was #78 in 1967. In 2025 it ranked #125 for boys, with 2,882 babies given the name.
Is Dean a boy or girl name?
Dean is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 2,914 girls and 192,930 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.