Denis
DEN-iss
A name ultimately tied to Dionysus, the classical god-name behind a long line of European forms.
Meaning
Denis is a French form of the Greek name Dionysios, meaning “of Dionysos” or “belonging to Dionysos.” The excerpts also note English Dennis and Denys as related forms, and mention an Irish usage where Denis could sometimes stand in for Donoch/Donnchu; but the core etymology is the Dionysus line.
Origin
GreekFrenchEnglishmasculine
Fun fact
The excerpts note that Denis was especially common in Ireland and that related forms spread widely across Europe, including Portuguese Diniz and Spanish Dionis.