Denim Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Denim is a fabric that originated from the French term 'serge de Nîmes', meaning 'serge from Nîmes'. It is a durable cotton fabric commonly used for making jeans and other clothing. The term evolved from its French roots to become widely recognized in English. Denim gained prominence in the 19th century during the Gold Rush and is now widely associated with casual fashion. Although it does not have a biblical background, it has become a staple of modern attire, represented by various famous figures.
The name Denim is most popular in Louisiana, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Denim has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Denim' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6703rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8502nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2371st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1380th out of 23106 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 20144th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7390th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2734th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Denim' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Denim"
Pronunciation
/ˈdɛnɪm/
Origin
French
Etymology
The word 'denim' comes from the French phrase 'serge de Nîmes', which means 'serge from Nîmes', a city in France where the fabric was originally produced.
Meaning
a durable cotton fabric typically used for jeans and other clothing
Language Evolution
serge de Nîmes, denim
Historical Usage
Denim gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly during the California Gold Rush when it was favored by miners for its durability.
Variants & Derivatives
jeans, overalls, denim jacket
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, denim is seen as a versatile and casual fabric, commonly associated with jeans and informal wear.
Famous People
James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Kurt Cobain
Explore More Denim Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Denim"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Denim"
"Denim" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6703rd of 10718 | 31 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8502nd of 16616 | 50 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2371st of 24088 | 771 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1380th of 23106 | 1,595 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 20144th of 27321 | 17 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 7390th of 35406 | 245 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2734th of 30306 | 758 |
Regional Popularity of "Denim" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
58.53% 2682nd/4582 |
35.34% 1825th/5164 |
25.82% 1888th/7313 |
38.34% 2861st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
32.18% 1282nd/3984 |
33.14% 1487th/4487 |
15.26% 1041st/6822 |
34.26% 2150th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Denim" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
100.00% 5164th/5164 |
75.58% 5527th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
62.80% 2502nd/3984 |
62.47% 2803rd/4487 |
32.50% 2217th/6822 |
79.84% 5011th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Denim"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Denim" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.