Denell
A feminine name of unknown origin, potentially meaning "from the valley".
Name Census estimates that about 415 living Americans carry the first name Denell. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 87.8% of registrations being female. The average person named Denell today is around 53 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Denell births was 1964 (25 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Denell. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
415
~ 1 in 825,914 Americans
Peak year
1964
25 babies that year
Average age
53
years old
2007 SSA rank
#11,271
Tracked since 1953
Gender
Gender distribution for Denell
Denell leans heavily female at 87.8% of total registrations, but 58 boys have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.
Denell as a male name
- Ranked #11,271 in 2007
- 6 male births in 2007
- Peak: 1976 (8 births)
Denell as a female name
- Ranked #14,015 in 1995
- 5 female births in 1995
- Peak: 1964 (25 births)
Popularity
Denell: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Denell from the 1950s through to the 2000s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1960s, with 160 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1960s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Denell by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Denell during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Denells live
Origin
Meaning and history of Denell
The name Denell is a unique and intriguing name with a rich history and origins that can be traced back to various cultures and languages. It is believed to have its roots in the Old English language, derived from the word "dene," which means "valley" or "low-lying area." This suggests that the name Denell may have been originally associated with individuals who lived in or near valleys or lowlands.
Another possible origin of the name Denell is found in the French language, where it may have evolved from the name "Daniel." In this context, Denell could be seen as a variant or diminutive form of the more common name Daniel, which means "God is my judge" in Hebrew.
While the exact historical references and earliest recorded examples of the name Denell are somewhat obscure, there are a few notable individuals who have carried this name throughout history. One such person was Denell Browning (1919-1995), an American author and historian who wrote extensively about the American West and Native American culture.
Another notable bearer of the name was Denell Nawrocki (1957-2021), a Polish-American artist and sculptor known for her work in ceramics and mixed media. Her pieces were exhibited in galleries and museums across the United States and Europe.
In the realm of sports, Denell Curry (born 1976) was a professional basketball player who played in the WNBA for teams such as the Detroit Shock and the Phoenix Mercury. She was known for her impressive defensive skills and tenacity on the court.
The name Denell also has ties to the entertainment industry. Denell Hough (born 1983) is a Canadian actress and singer who has appeared in various television shows and films, including the popular dance drama series "Bunheads."
Lastly, Denell Wiltz (born 1958) is an American journalist and author who has written extensively on topics related to race, culture, and social issues. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Washington Post and The Boston Globe.
These examples showcase the diversity and versatility of the name Denell, as it has been embraced by individuals from various backgrounds and professions throughout history. While its origins may be rooted in different languages and cultures, the name Denell has undoubtedly left its mark on the pages of history, carried by notable figures who have contributed to their respective fields.
People
Denell + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Denell as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with D
Other first names starting with D with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Denell: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Denell?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 415 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Denell going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 825,914 US residents.
Is Denell a common name?
We classify Denell as "Very Rare". It ranks above 82.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 477 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Denell most popular?
The single biggest year for Denell was 1964, when 25 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Denell is about 53 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Denell a female name?
Yes, 87.8% of people registered as Denell in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.