Denton
From Old English denu (“valley, den”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”).
Every Denton since 1881 — 5,143 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Denton
Denton is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,529 in 2025 with 32 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1881, 5,143 American babies have been named Denton. Its peak came in 1994, when 89 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Denton stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Denton year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32 | #3,529 |
| 2024 | 27 | #4,009 |
| 2023 | 38 | #3,188 |
| 2022 | 39 | #3,113 |
| 2021 | 26 | #4,041 |
| 2020 | 38 | #3,033 |
| 2019 | 39 | #3,065 |
| 2018 | 35 | #3,258 |
| 2017 | 55 | #2,355 |
| 2016 | 42 | #2,846 |
| 2015 | 52 | #2,438 |
| 2014 | 48 | #2,550 |
| 2013 | 56 | #2,291 |
| 2012 | 53 | #2,385 |
| 2011 | 53 | #2,383 |
| 2010 | 45 | #2,695 |
| 2009 | 47 | #2,628 |
| 2008 | 48 | #2,597 |
| 2007 | 46 | #2,657 |
| 2006 | 67 | #1,995 |
| 2005 | 48 | #2,405 |
| 2004 | 49 | #2,320 |
| 2003 | 37 | #2,685 |
| 2002 | 54 | #2,026 |
| 2001 | 61 | #1,824 |
| 2000 | 70 | #1,656 |
| 1995 | 84 | #1,278 |
| 1990 | 60 | #1,457 |
| 1985 | 53 | #1,321 |
| 1980 | 45 | #1,415 |
| 1975 | 35 | #1,516 |
| 1970 | 42 | #1,281 |
| 1965 | 32 | #1,364 |
| 1960 | 41 | #1,232 |
| 1955 | 44 | #1,115 |
| 1950 | 56 | #920 |
| 1945 | 50 | #903 |
| 1940 | 33 | #1,164 |
| 1935 | 47 | #925 |
| 1930 | 42 | #1,072 |
| 1925 | 41 | #1,092 |
| 1920 | 42 | #1,095 |
| 1915 | 34 | #1,107 |
| 1910 | 9 | #1,137 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Denton
- Denton Cooley Physician · 1920–2016
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Denton mean?
From Old English denu (“valley, den”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”).
How popular is the name Denton in 2025?
Denton ranked #3,529 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 32 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Denton?
5,143 babies have been named Denton in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Denton most popular?
Denton peaked in 1994, when 89 newborns received the name.
Is Denton a boy or girl name?
Denton is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Denton rising or falling?
Denton is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Denton?
Well-known people named Denton include Denton Cooley (physician).