Dieter Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Dieter is a German name derived from the Old High German 'Theodoric', meaning 'ruler of the people'. It has evolved through historical forms such as Theodoric and Dieterich to become a popular name in modern Germany. The name is associated with leadership and is considered traditional. There is no significant biblical relevance to the name, and it gained popularity in the post-World War II era. Notable figures with this name include Dieter Bohlen and Dieter Zetsche.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Dieter"
Pronunciation
/ˈdiːtər/
Origin
German
Etymology
The name Dieter is derived from the Old High German name 'Theodoric', which means 'people's ruler' or 'ruler of the people'.
Meaning
ruler of the people
Language Evolution
Theodoric, Dieterich, Dieter
Historical Usage
The name Dieter gained popularity in Germany during the mid-20th century, particularly after World War II.
Variants & Derivatives
Dieterich, Ditte, Didi
Modern Popularity & Image
Dieter is often viewed as a traditional and strong name in German-speaking countries, associated with leadership and authority.
Famous People
Dieter Bohlen, Dieter Zetsche, Dieter Hallervorden
📊 Dieter Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Dieter Name Visualizations
✨ Dieter Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 36 peak births in 1967
Geographic Spread
Popular across 4 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Dieter"
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 "Dieter"
"Dieter" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2436th of 7552 | 212 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2163rd of 10718 | 303 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4381st of 16616 | 176 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6987th of 24088 | 159 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 10610th of 23106 | 66 |
Regional Popularity of "Dieter" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
56.76% 1264th/2227 |
60.91% 1480th/2430 |
- |
42.56% 1181st/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
58.63% 1722nd/2937 |
45.62% 1589th/3483 |
- |
37.24% 1506th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Dieter" 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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Dieter"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Dieter" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Dieter" in the United States
The name Dieter is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Dieter has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Dieter' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2436th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2163rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4381st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6987th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 10610th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Dieter' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.