Dennis — Dog Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
Dennis (DEN-iss), 2 syllables — Derived from the Greek name Dionysios, meaning 'follower of Dionysus'.. Verified by the Pets In The City editorial team, with real popularity data from our Auckland community.
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What does Dennis mean?
Greek: Derived from the Greek name Dionysios, meaning 'follower of Dionysus'.. The name Dennis comes from the Greek name Dionysios, which means 'follower of Dionysus', the Greek god of wine and festivity.
Our editors checked this meaning before publishing. Names with several genuine origins are shown as separate senses rather than a single claim.
Is Dennis a good dog name?
Dennis has not been formally rated for calling yet. As a rule of thumb, one or two clear syllables work best for recall. With 2 syllables, it is quick to say — a practical length for recall.
Before you commit, say it out loud a few times and check it does not clash with a household name or a training cue like "sit" or "no".
Dennis popularity in the Pets In The City community
Dennis ranks #120 all-time in the Pets In The City community, carried by about 0.2 in every 1,000 dogs we care for (8 dogs). Its recent trend is insufficient data.
Popularity comes from anonymised, aggregated records of dogs at our 5 Auckland centres, as of 2026-08-01. It reflects our community, not a national census.
What kind of dog does Dennis suit?
It is most often used for boy dogs in our community. Owners often pick Dennis for its human name feel. Treat these as suggestions — plenty of dogs happily wear names that break every rule.
Dennis’s Arrival
Our entirely unscientific pack opinion.
The other dogs are buzzing about Dennis. "A follower of Dionysus?" one whispers. "I bet he brings the party with him!" Another chimes in, "Let’s hope he knows how to share his chew toys!"
Names similar to Dennis
- Aadam — Variant of Adam, meaning 'man' or 'earth' in Hebrew.
- Aadarsh — Indian name meaning 'ideal' or 'model'.
- Aadhav — Means 'one who is bright' in Sanskrit.
- Aadhya — Means 'first' or 'beginning' in Sanskrit.
- Aadi — Means 'beginning' or 'first' in Sanskrit.
- Aadil — Means 'just' or 'fair' in Arabic.
- Aadit — Means 'the first' or 'the beginning' in Sanskrit.
- Aadvik — Means 'unique' or 'unusual' in Sanskrit.
Collections featuring Dennis
See all curated collections.
Like Dennis? Find names that fit your dog
The Dog Name Matchmaker learns your taste and picks eight names that suit your dog's character — each with a reason it fits.
Naming a new puppy?
A great name is step one. Step two is a great start: our force-free puppy training classes build confidence and recall (that new name gets a workout). New to Pets In The City? Register your dog for a temperament assessment and meet the pack.
By the numbers
- 2 syllables — quick to call
- Ranked #120 of all names in our Auckland community
- About 0.2 in every 1,000 PITC dogs are called Dennis
- Meaning and pronunciation verified by our editors
- Data from 5 Auckland Pets In The City centres
Find names like Dennis Browse all names A–Z
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