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Name Lineage

    The first name Denver

    A unisex name meaning “crossing”, “passing of the danes”, “valley-bank”.

    Pronounced /ˈdɛnvɚ/ 2 syllables Unisex Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Denver means “crossing”, “passing of the danes”, “valley-bank”.

    Named after James W. Denver. The surname Denver ultimately derives from Old English Dene-fær ("crossing or passing of the Danes"), from Dene + fær; or alternatively from den-ōfer ("valley-bank"), from denu + ofer.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 46 boys were named Denver, making it the 745th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2021, with 46 births (#738).

    02550 1996200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    764
    babies named Denver, 1996–2025
    #745
    rank in 2025
    2021
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Denver with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Denver at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 578 boys born in the United States were named Denver, the 518th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2022, when 645 were.

    0350700 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    23,413
    babies named Denver since 1880
    #518
    rank in 2025
    2022
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Denver

    3 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Denver Pyle
      American actor (1920-1997)
    • Denver Riggleman
      American businessman and politician from Virginia, born 1970
    • Denver S. Dickerson
      11th Governor of Nevada from the Silver – Democratic coalition party. (1872-1925)

    Questions

    What does the name Denver mean?
    Denver means “crossing”, “passing of the danes”, “valley-bank”.
    How popular is the name Denver?
    In 2025, 46 boys born in England and Wales were named Denver, ranking 745th. Its peak was 2021, with 46 births.
    Is Denver a boy's or a girl's name?
    Both. Of the 23,413 US babies named Denver since 1880, 18% were girls and 82% boys.
    When was Denver most popular?
    2022 in the United States, when 645 babies were named Denver, its highest rank at 480th.
    How do you pronounce Denver?
    Denver is /ˈdɛnvɚ/, 2 syllables.
    Is Denver also a surname?
    Yes. Denver is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.