Dean
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Valley, church official
Origin: Old English/Latin
Popularity: Ranked #125 in 2025 with 2,876 babies born.
History: Dean derives either from the Old English 'denu,' meaning valley, or from the Latin 'decanus,' referring to a church or academic official. It has been used as both a surname and given name in the English-speaking world. Actor and singer Dean Martin made it synonymous with cool mid-century American style.
Famous people named Dean: James Dean (actor), Dean Martin (singer)
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Dean? About 1 in 1,155 babies born in 2025 were named Dean, or roughly 7.9 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Dean
What does the name Dean mean?
Dean means “Valley, church official” from Old English/Latin roots.
What is the origin of the name Dean?
Dean has Old English/Latin origin. The traditional meaning is “Valley, church official”.
How popular is Dean?
Dean ranked #125 in 2025 — given to 2,876 babies that year.
When was Dean most popular?
Dean peaked in 1961 with 4,931 babies registered that year.
Is Dean a boy or girl name?
Dean is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Deans in registered births are male.
Is the name Dean rising or falling in popularity?
Dean has risen 15094 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #15219 in 2020 to #125 in 2025.
How long has Dean been recorded?
Dean appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.