Dean
How to say it: DEEN · /ˈdin/
From Old English denu meaning 'valley'; also from Latin decanus meaning 'leader of ten'.
Dean was the 130th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 2,876 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1960s, its births are up about 48% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #112 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #130 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 2,876 |
| Share of births | 1 in 1,123 |
| Peak decade | 1960s |
| Change over 10 years | +48% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #112 |
| In France, 2025 | #813 among boys’ names, 35 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Dean dipped around the 2000s after an earlier high in the 1960s and now stands close to that high again. Further growth is expected in the near future.
What goes with it
Spoken in one crisp syllable, Dean carries a strong and steady quality. Reid and Brent share its style.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Dean is about 1 in 47.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #813 for boys in 2025.
Ireland: #442.
Famous people named Dean
- Dean Martin (1917–1995)American singer, actor, comedian and film producer
- Dean Koontz (born 1945)American writer and screenwriter
- Dean Henderson (born 1997)English association football player
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Hurricane Dean (2007) was retired from Atlantic naming lists.
Keep exploring
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