Find out how popular the first name Denver has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Denver by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Denver is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 73% of people named Denver being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 583 male babies and 360 female babies born with the name Denver.

The history of the first name Denver

The given name Denver is a relatively modern name, originating in the late 19th century. It is an English name derived from the city of Denver, Colorado, which was founded in 1858 and named after James W. Denver, the governor of Kansas Territory at the time. The city itself was likely named after the nearby Denver Creek, whose name may have come from the French term for "green valley."

While the name Denver does not have ancient roots or connections to historical texts or religious scriptures, it gained popularity as a first name in the United States in the early 20th century. One of the earliest recorded individuals with the given name Denver was Denver S. Dickerson, born in 1907 in Texas. Dickerson was a noted educator and civil rights leader who served as the president of several historically black colleges and universities.

Another notable individual named Denver was Denver Pyle, an American actor born in 1920. Pyle was best known for his roles in television shows such as The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp and The Dukes of Hazzard. He had a successful career spanning over five decades and passed away in 1997.

Denver Nuggets, born in 1926 in Mississippi, was a professional baseball player who played in the Negro Leagues and later for the Philadelphia Stars. He was known for his exceptional defensive skills as an outfielder and played a significant role in breaking down racial barriers in professional baseball.

Denver Randleman, born in 1951, is an American businessman and entrepreneur who co-founded the successful footwear company Reebok. He played a crucial role in the company's growth and expansion, helping to establish Reebok as a leading brand in the athletic footwear industry.

Denver Moore, born in 1936, was a former homeless man whose life story was chronicled in the bestselling book "Same Kind of Different as Me." His friendship with a wealthy art dealer and their journey of mutual understanding and redemption inspired many and shed light on the struggles of homelessness and poverty.

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

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

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