Meaning: Its source is Dionysios, a Greek name meaning "Dedicated to Dionysos."

Languages: This boy's name is used in French and Russian.

Popularity: The name Denis ranked 577th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Narrative: Dionysos, also known as Bacchus, was the Greek god of wine and revelry. The theatre was under his special protection as well.

In modern thought, Dionysos symbolizes spontaneity and instinct, in contrast to Apollo, the god of wisdom, who stands for science and intellect.