Dean is a name of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "dean", which means "leader". It is also associated with the term "decanus" that was used in medieval monasteries to refer to the head or leader of the monastery.
The name Dean has been popular throughout history, particularly during the Middle Ages when it was often given as a title rather than a name. However, it began to be used more frequently as a first name in the United States and other English-speaking countries in the mid-20th century.
Some notable individuals with the name Dean include American actors such as James Dean and Paul Dean, Canadian-American musician Dean McCarthy, and British politician Dean Russell.
Overall, the name Dean has a strong and powerful sound to it that reflects its meaning of leader or head. It is a popular choice for parents looking for a name that is classic yet modern.
The given statistics track the annual number of births with the name Dean in the United States from 1884 to 2023. Over this period, there have been a total of 2903 babies named Dean.
The popularity of the name Dean fluctuated over time. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of annual births with the name ranged from as low as 5 to as high as 18. However, in the 1920s and 1930s, there was a significant increase in popularity, with the number of annual births exceeding 40 for several years.
The peak period for the name Dean occurred during World War II. Between 1942 and 1945, there were between 45 and 79 babies named Dean each year. This likely reflects a surge in popularity due to the association of the name with famous figures like Dean Martin or Dean Stockwell.
However, after the war, the popularity of the name began to decline again. From the late 1950s onwards, there were consistently fewer than 35 babies named Dean each year. This trend has continued into recent years, with only around 5-9 births per year since 2016.
Despite its fluctuation in popularity over time, the name Dean remains relatively uncommon today, making it a distinctive choice for parents looking for a classic yet unique name for their child.