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Home › Baby Names Directory › Dewey

Dewey

♂ Boy

Pronounced DOO-ee /ˈdu.i/High

Meaning: From Welsh Dewi (David), 'beloved' — or an Americanized surname; borne by Admiral Dewey and philosopher John DeweyMedium

In 30 seconds: Beloved, with old-fashioned warmth: Dewey traces to Welsh Dewi (David) and to a sturdy American surname — borne by an admiral and a great philosopher. Homespun, vintage, and friendly.
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Origin MediumWelsh, Hebrew
MeaningFrom Welsh Dewi (David), 'beloved' — or an Americanized surname; borne by Admiral Dewey and philosopher John Dewey
U.S. rank (2025)#3870 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births28 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1898
Total births (all-time)≈ 34,373

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 189818872025

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

Dewey derives from the Welsh Dewi, the native form of David ('beloved', and Wales's patron saint), and from an Americanized surname. It peaked in early-twentieth-century America after naval hero Admiral George Dewey; philosopher John Dewey is another famous bearer.

It registers thinly today, reading as vintage-homespun. Rare, beloved at the Welsh root, and friendly.

Did you know? Two Deweys shaped American life — Admiral George Dewey, naval hero of 1898, and philosopher John Dewey, who reinvented modern education; the 'Dewey Decimal' Melvil completes the trio.
Overall data confidence 75%
Behind the Name — Dewey — etymology

Variations

DewiDewie

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★Dewey Bunnell (1952-)
    American musician and member of the band America
  • ★Dewey Redman (1931-2006)
    American jazz saxophonist

If you like Dewey…

David— the name it ultimately forms
Dewayne— a fellow vintage De- name
Huey— a companion old-fashioned -ey name
Davey— a fellow Hebrew choice
Joey— shares the -ey ending

Explore names like Dewey

By themehebrewvintagewelsh
By meaningLove

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Dewey mean?

Dewey comes from Welsh Dewi (David), 'beloved', and from an American surname.

How do you pronounce Dewey?

It's said DOO-ee /ˈdu.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Dewey a boy or girl name?

Dewey is a boy's name.

How popular is Dewey?

Dewey is a rare vintage name in the U.S.

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