Dean is a masculine given name that has its origins in Old English. It is derived from the word "denu," which means "valley." The name was originally used as a surname to denote someone who lived in or near a valley. Over time, it became a popular given name and has been used in various cultures and languages around the world. In recent years, the name Dean has remained a popular choice for parents, ranking in the top 500 baby names in the United States.
Dean rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
- Rank 161. Graham
- Rank 162. Kaiden
- Rank 163. Maxwell
- Rank 164. Juan
- Rank 165. Dean
- Rank 166. Matteo
- Rank 167. Malachi
- Rank 168. Ivan
- Rank 169. Elliott
Nicknames for Dean
| Deano | dee-noh | A shortened, informal version of the name. |
| Dino | dee-noh | A playful nickname that rhymes with Deano. |
| Dee | dee | A simple nickname that takes the first syllable of the name. |
| Den | den | A shortened version of the name that drops the second syllable. |
| D | dee | A single-letter nickname that is often used for close friends and family. |
Famous people named Dean
| Name of the person | Known for | Explanation |
| Dean Martin | Singer, actor | Popular American singer and actor known for his smooth voice and charm in the 1950s and 1960s |
| James Dean | Actor | Iconic American actor of the 1950s, known for his roles in Rebel Without a Cause and East of Eden |
| Dean Koontz | Author | Bestselling American author of horror and suspense novels |
| Dean Cain | Actor | American actor best known for his role as Superman in the TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman |
| Howard Dean | Politician | Former Governor of Vermont and former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee in the United States |
| Dean Smith | Basketball coach | Legendary American basketball coach who led the University of North Carolina to two national championships |
| Dean Norris | Actor | American actor best known for his roles in Breaking Bad and Under the Dome |
| Dean Stockwell | Actor | American actor who has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including Quantum Leap and Blue Velvet |
| Dean Karnazes | Athlete, author | American ultramarathon runner and author known for his extreme endurance feats |
| Dean Jones | Actor | American actor best known for his roles in Disney movies such as The Love Bug and That Darn Cat! |
Fictional character called Dean from pop culture
| Dean Winchester | Supernatural | One of the main characters in the TV series Supernatural, a demon hunter |
| Dean Moriarty | On the Road | A character in Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road, based on real-life Beat Generation figure Neal Cassady |
| Dean Thomas | Harry Potter | A Gryffindor student in the Harry Potter series, friend of Harry, Ron, and Hermione |
| Dean Craig Pelton | Community | The eccentric and flamboyant dean of Greendale Community College in the TV series Community |
| Dean Youngblood | Youngblood | The main character in the 1986 ice hockey film Youngblood, played by Rob Lowe |
| Dean Proffitt | Overboard | The male lead in the 1987 romantic comedy Overboard, played by Kurt Russell |
| Dean Winchester (Alternate Universe) | Supernatural | A different version of the character in an alternate universe in the TV series Supernatural |
| Dean Hardscrabble | Monsters University | The strict and intimidating dean of the School of Scaring in the Pixar film Monsters University |
| Dean Wormer | Animal House | The authoritarian and vindictive dean of Faber College in the 1978 comedy film Animal House |
| Dean Keaton | The Usual Suspects | A character in the 1995 crime thriller film The Usual Suspects, played by Gabriel Byrne |
Frequently Asked Questions about Dean
| What is the origin of the name Dean? | The name Dean is of English origin. |
| What does the name Dean mean? | The name Dean means 'valley' or 'church official'. |
| Is Dean a popular name? | Yes, Dean has been a popular name in the United States since the 1920s. |
| What famous people have the name Dean? | Famous people with the name Dean include actor James Dean, musician Dean Martin, and politician Howard Dean. |
| Is Dean a unisex name? | While Dean is traditionally a masculine name, it has been used for both boys and girls in recent years. |
| What are some variations of the name Dean? | Variations of the name Dean include Deane, Dene, Deen, and Deon. |