Dennis in Chinese
Dennis in Chinese is 丹尼斯 (Dān Ní Sī).
- Origin
- Greek
- Meaning
- follower of Dionysus
Dennis is a name of Greek origin, generally understood to mean "follower of Dionysus". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1950s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Denise.
3 ways to write Dennis
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
丹尼斯
Dān Ní Sī
The standard transliteration of Dennis: 丹 (dān, "red; cinnabar; sincere heart"), 尼 (ní, "Buddhist nun (phonetic 'ni')"), 斯 (sī, "this (phonetic 's')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 3 characters: 丹 dān + 尼 ní + 斯 sī. The tone contour is 1-2-1 (high level, rising, high level).
Character breakdown
21 strokes total (simplified)- 丹
dān
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
red; cinnabar; sincere heart
- 尼
ní
Tone 2 · 5 strokes (simplified)
Buddhist nun (phonetic 'ni')
- 斯
sī
Tone 1 · 12 strokes (simplified)
this (phonetic 's')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
子杰
Zǐ Jié
Inspired by "follower of Dionysus": 子 (zǐ, "son, child; master (honorific)") + 杰 (jié, "outstanding, heroic"), expressing elegance and good character.
Why these characters?
Dennis's meaning ("follower of Dionysus") has no direct Chinese equivalent, so 子 (son, child; master (honorific)) and 杰 (outstanding, heroic) express elegance and good character instead.
Character breakdown
11 strokes total (simplified)- 子
zǐ
Tone 3 · 3 strokes (simplified)
son, child; master (honorific)
- 杰
jié
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
outstanding, heroic
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
丹博
Dān Bó
丹 (dān, "red; cinnabar; sincere heart") + 博 (bó, "broad, learned"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 丹 (dān), the same opening character as the transliteration 丹尼斯, for the "den" sound, and replaces the rest with 博 ("broad, learned") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 丹
dān
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
red; cinnabar; sincere heart
- 博
bó
Tone 2 · 12 strokes (simplified)
broad, learned
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 617,425 boys named Dennis since 1880, with the high point in 1952 (24,563 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #129 to #544 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1952
- Peak decade
- 1950s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 617,425
More About Dennis in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Dennis offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Dennis, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Denise in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Denise in Chinese, Calvin in Chinese, and Edgar in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Johnny in Chinese, Hector in Chinese, Brody in Chinese, and Roberto in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Dennis, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Dennis to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Dennis in Chinese?
丹尼斯 (Dān Ní Sī), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Dennis?
US Social Security records show 617,425 boys named Dennis since 1880, with the high point in 1952 (24,563 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #129 to #544 among boys.
How many strokes does 丹尼斯 have?
21 strokes in simplified form; per character: 丹 4, 尼 5, 斯 12.