Denise
Meaning: Follower of Dionysus or wild
Origin: Greek/French
Gender: Unisex
Rank in France: #11446
Total births: 263,400
History: French feminine of Denis, from the Greek god Dionysus. Denise was enormously popular in France in the 1930s-1940s. Saint Denis is the patron saint of France and first Bishop of Paris — the famous basilica bears his name. A quintessential mid-century French name.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from France’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2021) | #2135 |
| Babies named Denise in 2021 | 11 |
| Total recorded in France | 263,376 |
| Peak year | 1927 (8,440 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #4 |
| Years in records | 1900–2021 (122 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↑ 261 spots |
Frequently asked about Denise
What does the name Denise mean?
Denise means “Follower of Dionysus or wild” from Greek/French roots.
What is the origin of the name Denise?
Denise has Greek/French origin. The traditional meaning is “Follower of Dionysus or wild”.
How popular is Denise in France?
Denise ranked #2135 in France in 2021 — given to 11 babies that year.
When was Denise most popular?
Denise peaked in 1927 with 8,440 babies registered that year in France.
Is Denise a boy or girl name?
Denise is predominantly a girls' name in France — over 90% of Denises in registered births are female.
Is the name Denise rising or falling in popularity?
Denise has risen 261 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years in France — from #2396 in 2016 to #2135 in 2021.
How long has Denise been recorded in France?
Denise appears in birth records in France across 122 years — from 1900 through 2021.