Find out how popular the first name Dekan has been for the last 8 years (from 2006 to 2013) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Dekan by gender

Based on the last 8 years of data, Dekan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2013, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Dekan.

The history of the first name Dekan

The name Dekan is believed to have its origins in ancient Greek culture. It is derived from the Greek word "dekas," which means "ten" or "a group of ten." This suggests that the name may have originally been used to denote someone who was part of a group or community of ten people.

In ancient Greek texts, the name Dekan is mentioned as a minor character in the Iliad, one of the two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. However, beyond this brief reference, there is little historical information about the name's usage or popularity in ancient Greek society.

The earliest recorded individual with the name Dekan is Dekan of Patrai, a Greek philosopher who lived in the 2nd century AD. He was a follower of the Stoic school of philosophy and is known for his writings on ethics and the nature of the soul.

Another notable figure named Dekan was Dekan of Alexandria, a 5th-century Byzantine mathematician and astronomer. He is credited with several important contributions to the field of mathematics, including the development of a method for calculating the volume of a pyramid and the formulation of a method for determining the date of Easter.

In the Middle Ages, the name Dekan appeared in various European regions, particularly in areas with strong Greek cultural influences. One example is Dekan of Thessalonica, a 9th-century Byzantine monk and theologian who played a significant role in the ongoing debates over iconoclasm (the prohibition of religious images) in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

During the Renaissance period, the name Dekan was borne by Dekan Rabelais, a 16th-century French Renaissance writer, philosopher, and humanist. He is best known for his satirical novel "Gargantua and Pantagruel," which is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance literature.

Another notable bearer of the name was Dekan Descartes, a 17th-century French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of the modern era, contributing significantly to fields such as metaphysics, epistemology, and mathematics with his famous philosophical statement, "I think, therefore I am."

While the name Dekan has deep roots in ancient Greek culture and has been borne by several notable figures throughout history, it has never been a particularly common or widespread name. Its usage has remained relatively limited, primarily in regions with strong Greek cultural influences or academic circles where its connection to the concept of "ten" or "a group of ten" may have held particular significance.

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 Dekan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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