Denim

♀ Girl

Pronounced DEHN-eem /ˈdɛn.im/Medium

Meaning: Word name from the fabric denim, from French serge de Nimes 'serge from Nimes'.Low

In 30 seconds: Denim is a word name taken from the fabric, whose own name comes from the French serge de Nimes, 'serge from Nimes'.

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Origin MediumEnglish, French

MeaningWord name from the fabric denim, from French serge de Nimes 'serge from Nimes'.

U.S. rank (2025)#1914 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births101 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,121

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

The fabric was originally a sturdy serge woven in the French city of Nimes, and the phrase serge de Nimes was shortened over time into 'denim'. Used as a given name, it joins the modern trend of borrowing everyday and material words. Its meaning is the cloth itself, with the French city quietly tucked inside the history.

The hard ending and casual, contemporary feel set it apart from traditional girls' names, and it reads the same whether used for a girl or a boy.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Denim is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 62%

Behind the Name - Denim — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Denim…

Indigo— The dye color associated with denim fabric, also used as a name

Sienna— Another modern word name tied to a place and a material quality

Sailor— A casual modern word name with a similar contemporary edge

Rumi— A short, fashionable word-style name in the same modern vein

Explore names like Denim

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Denim mean?

Denim is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Denim?

It's commonly said DEHN-eem /ˈdɛn.im/.

Is Denim a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Denim is used as a girl name.

How popular is Denim?

In 2024, Denim ranked #2132 in the U.S. for girls, with 89 births recorded.