UK boy's name
Dene
A name of Native American origin meaning "the people".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2001. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Dene is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Dene popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2001 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3134, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 8 births.
This profile covers 11 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1996 to 2001. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 21 living people in the UK are called Dene. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2002 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Dene ranked #3134 for boys in England and Wales in 2001, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 8 boys were registered as Dene.
- • Dene ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #378 in 1993.
- • About 21 living people in the UK are estimated to have Dene as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3134
2001
Births in 2001
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
8 births
Estimated living
21
2026
Meaning
What does Dene mean?
The name Dene originates from Old English, tracing its roots back to the 5th century AD. It is derived from the word "denu," meaning "valley" or "valley-dweller." The name was initially prevalent among the Anglo-Saxon population in England and was often used to describe individuals who resided in or near valleys.
In ancient texts, the name Dene appears in various forms, such as "Dæne" and "Dæne-mann." One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book mentions several individuals with the name Dene, indicating its widespread use during that period.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Dene. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Dene of Winchester (c. 1030 - c. 1100), an Anglo-Norman monk and scholar who contributed significantly to the field of mathematics and astronomy.
Another prominent figure was Dene Marbanach (c. 1200 - c. 1270), an Irish poet and storyteller renowned for his skills in preserving and transmitting traditional Irish tales and legends. His works played a crucial role in preserving Irish cultural heritage during a period of turmoil and change.
In the 14th century, Dene Ingram (c. 1325 - c. 1390), an English merchant and diplomat, gained fame for his role in facilitating trade relations between England and the Hanseatic League, a powerful commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and towns in Northern Europe.
During the Renaissance period, Dene Erasmus (1466 - 1536), a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, and social critic, made significant contributions to the field of education and theology. His writings and teachings influenced many intellectuals of his time and played a crucial role in shaping the ideals of the Protestant Reformation.
In more recent times, Dene Hill (1907 - 1995), an American actor and screenwriter, gained recognition for his work in Hollywood during the golden age of cinema. He was known for his roles in several classic films and his contributions to the screenwriting of notable productions.
While the name Dene has its origins in Old English and Anglo-Saxon culture, it has been adopted and used across various regions and cultures over the centuries, reflecting its enduring appeal and historical significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Dene over time
The chart below shows babies named Dene registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2001. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Dene, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2001, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Dene by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Dene was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3134 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #1458 | 8 | 1 |
Geography
Where Dene is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Dene. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Dene ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #378 in 1993.
Across the UK
Dene in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#378 in 1993
3 years of NRS records, 10 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Dene
-
Dene Miller
rugby league player
English rugby league footballer
1981-
Related
Names similar to Dene
- Daniel 120,900
- Dylan 60,836
- David 37,852
- Dominic 20,480
- Declan 11,657
- Dexter 11,627
- Danny 8,434
- Dean 5,329
- Dillon 4,113
- Douglas 3,773
- Dominik 3,494
- Damian 3,486
FAQ
Dene: questions and answers
How popular is the name Dene in the UK right now?
In 2001, Dene was ranked #3134 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Dene most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 8 babies registered as Dene in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Dene?
A name of Native American origin meaning "the people".
How many people are called Dene in the UK?
A total of 11 babies have been registered as Dene across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 10 more in Scotland.
Where is Dene most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Dene ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #378 in 1993. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.