Decan first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Decan has been for the last 1 years (from 2006 to 2006) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Decan

A name derived from the Latin term "decanus," meaning a leader or chief.

Popularity of Decan by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Decan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2006, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Decan.

Year Male Count Female Count
2006 6 0

The history of the first name Decan

The name Decan originates from the Latin word "decanus," which means "leader of ten." This name has its roots in the Roman military, where a decanus was a non-commissioned officer in charge of a group of ten soldiers. The name can be traced back to ancient Roman times, around the 1st century BC.

In the early days of Christianity, the term "decan" was used to refer to a minor official in the church hierarchy, responsible for overseeing a group of ten individuals. This usage of the word can be found in some early Christian texts and records from the 3rd and 4th centuries AD.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Decan was Saint Decan, a 6th-century Irish monk and missionary. He is believed to have been born around 520 AD and is venerated as the patron saint of horses and horse breeders in parts of Ireland.

In the 11th century, a French nobleman named Decan de Marigny was a prominent figure in the court of King Philip I of France. He served as a royal advisor and accompanied the king on various military campaigns.

During the Renaissance period, an Italian artist named Decan Galeazzo was known for his exquisite frescoes and paintings. He was born in 1476 in Florence and worked for several wealthy patrons, including members of the Medici family.

In the 18th century, Decan Beaumont was a French philosopher and writer who was influential in the Enlightenment movement. He was born in 1711 and is best known for his work on ethics and moral philosophy.

Another notable figure with the name Decan was Decan Maximilian von Alvensleben, a Prussian military officer and statesman who lived from 1785 to 1858. He played a significant role in the Napoleonic Wars and later served as the Prussian Minister of Finance.

While the name Decan has its roots in Latin and was more commonly used in ancient times, it has maintained a presence throughout history, particularly in Europe, and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including religious figures, noblemen, artists, philosophers, and military leaders.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Decan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Decan, please contact us.

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"Decan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 6, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/decan-meaning-and-history/.

"Decan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/decan-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 6 June, 2025

Decan first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/decan-meaning-and-history/.

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