Denise is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the French word "denier," which means "to deny" or "to refuse." However, in the context of the name Denise, it is interpreted as "Follower of Dionysius," where Dionysius was an early Christian martyr.
The name Denise has a rich history and has been popular for centuries. It gained prominence during the Middle Ages in France, but its usage spread throughout Europe over time. In some variations of the name, such as Denisa or Denis, it is also used as a male given name due to its association with Saint Denis, the patron saint of Paris.
Despite its French origins, Denise has been adopted by many cultures and languages around the world. It is often spelled differently based on the language, but the meaning remains consistent. For example, in Spanish, it is spelled Denisse, while in Italian, it is Dennis or Dennise.
In English-speaking countries, Denise was most popular during the mid-20th century. It peaked at number 179 in popularity in the United States in 1960 but has since declined in usage. Nevertheless, Denise remains a classic and timeless name that carries a strong historical legacy.
Overall, Denise is a beautiful and distinctive feminine given name with deep roots in French history. Its unique meaning and rich heritage make it a popular choice for parents seeking a meaningful name for their daughters.
The name Denese has been used with varying frequency over the years in the United States, as indicated by the birth statistics provided. The earliest record of its use dates back to 1928, with a total of five babies named Denese born that year.
Over the next few years, the number of births with this name remained relatively low, fluctuating between five and nine annually until 1946 when there were twelve births. This marked the beginning of a period of increased popularity for the name Denese, as it continued to rise in usage throughout the 1950s.
The peak of popularity for the name occurred in 1954 with ninety-eight babies named Denese born that year. This high point was followed by several years of consistent usage, with annual birth counts ranging from sixty-nine to seventy-eight between 1957 and 1963.
However, after reaching its peak in the mid-1950s, the popularity of the name Denese began to decline steadily over time. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, annual birth counts fell below fifty, indicating a decrease in usage during this period.
This downward trend continued into the 1980s and beyond, with annual birth counts ranging from five to twenty-five between 1983 and 2006. Despite its decline in popularity, the name Denese has persisted as an option for parents, with at least five babies named Denese born each year in the United States from 2004 onwards.
In total, there have been 1588 babies named Denese born in the United States since 1928. While its popularity has waxed and waned over the decades, the name Denese has remained a part of American naming culture for nearly a century.