Denelle
A feminine English given name meaning "from Dene or valley".
Name Census estimates that about 577 living Americans carry the first name Denelle. It is a predominantly female name (99.1% of registrations). The average person named Denelle today is around 48 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Denelle births was 1970 (25 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Denelle. 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
577
~ 1 in 594,028 Americans
Peak year
1970
25 babies that year
Average age
48
years old
1987 SSA rank
#6,308
Tracked since 1951
Gender
Gender distribution for Denelle
Out of the 643 babies given the name Denelle since 1880, 99.1% were registered as female. The name sits firmly on the female side of the spectrum, with only a handful of male registrations across the entire dataset.
Denelle as a male name
- Ranked #6,308 in 1987
- 6 male births in 1987
- Peak: 1987 (6 births)
Denelle as a female name
- Ranked #17,710 in 2010
- 5 female births in 2010
- Peak: 1970 (25 births)
Popularity
Denelle: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Denelle from the 1950s through to the 2010s, spanning 7 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 218 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1970s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Denelle 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 Denelle during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Denelles live
Origin
Meaning and history of Denelle
The name Denelle is a unique and intriguing moniker that has its roots in the ancient world. Its origins can be traced back to the Greek language, where it is believed to have been derived from the word "dendrion," which translates to "tree" or "shrub." This connection to nature and the natural world is a recurring theme throughout the history of the name.
In the earliest recorded instances, the name Denelle appeared in various ancient Greek texts and writings, often used to refer to individuals who had a deep appreciation for the outdoors or were closely connected to the natural world. It was particularly popular among those who lived in rural areas or worked as farmers, gardeners, or in other professions that brought them into close contact with the land.
As the name spread throughout the Mediterranean region, it took on new meanings and variations. In some cultures, it was associated with concepts of growth, fertility, and abundance, reflecting the life-giving properties of trees and plants. This association made the name a popular choice for parents who wished to bestow upon their children a sense of vitality and prosperity.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Denelle. One of the earliest recorded figures was Denelle of Corinth, a renowned botanist and herbalist who lived in the 5th century BCE. Her extensive knowledge of plants and their medicinal properties earned her widespread recognition and respect throughout the ancient Greek world.
During the Middle Ages, the name Denelle gained popularity among the nobility and aristocracy of various European countries. One such figure was Denelle de Montfort, a 12th-century noblewoman from France, who was renowned for her patronage of the arts and her support of local artisans and craftsmen.
In the Renaissance period, the name was embraced by several prominent artists and intellectuals. Denelle da Vinci, an Italian painter and sculptor from the 15th century, was a distant relative of the renowned polymath Leonardo da Vinci. Her works, though lesser known than those of her famous kinsman, were celebrated for their attention to detail and depictions of nature.
Moving into the modern era, the name Denelle continued to be associated with individuals who had a deep appreciation for the natural world. One notable figure was Denelle Audubon, an American naturalist and artist from the 19th century, renowned for her stunning illustrations of birds and her contributions to the field of ornithology.
Another significant bearer of the name was Denelle Carson, a pioneering American environmentalist and conservationist of the 20th century. She dedicated her life to protecting and preserving natural habitats, and her efforts played a crucial role in the establishment of several national parks and wildlife refuges across the United States.
While the name Denelle may not be as common as some other monikers, its rich history and connection to nature have endured throughout the centuries. It remains a unique and meaningful choice for parents seeking a name that celebrates the beauty and wonder of the natural world.
People
Denelle + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Denelle 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
Denelle: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Denelle?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 577 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Denelle 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 594,028 US residents.
Is Denelle a common name?
We classify Denelle as "Very Rare". It ranks above 85.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 643 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Denelle most popular?
The single biggest year for Denelle was 1970, when 25 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Denelle is about 48 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Denelle a female name?
Yes, 99.1% of people registered as Denelle 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.