Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Dede
GirlEnglish· “pet form of Deirdre, Dorothy and others”
- Meaning
- pet form of Deirdre, Dorothy and others
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- DEE-dee
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #1,024 (1961)
- Peak year
- 1961
Meaning and origin of Dede
Dede is an English name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Deirdre, Dorothy and others”.
Dede is a pet name used for many longer names that begin with D, such as Deirdre, Dorothy, Diane and Delores. The doubled syllable is typical of nicknames first used by small children for older relatives. In the United States Dede became a given name in its own right in the middle of the twentieth century. It is usually said DEE-dee, though some bearers say DAY-day. Because it is a nickname, its meaning depends on the name it came from. Dede feels playful and warm, and it can serve as a family nickname for many classic D names.
Popularity over time
Dede first appears in US Social Security records in 1933. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,024 in 1961, the same year it reached its highest count of 113 babies. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #1,687 in 1950, #7,576 in 1980, and #15,656 in 2000. Of the 1,613 US girls named Dede since records began, 39% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 456 babies. Since 2010, 5 more have been named Dede.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Penney, Becki, Damita, Jolynn, and Lory.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Dede is usually pronounced DEE-dee, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with D and ends in “-de”.
Middle names for Dede
A few middle names that flow with Dede: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dede
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Lists that include Dede
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dede mean?
Dede is an English name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Deirdre, Dorothy and others”.
What is the origin of the name Dede?
Dede has English roots. Dede is a pet name used for many longer names that begin with D, such as Deirdre, Dorothy, Diane and Delores.
Is Dede a popular name?
No. Dede was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Dede a boy or girl name?
Dede is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Dede?
Dede is usually pronounced DEE-dee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings