Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Denzel
BoyCornish· “from a Cornish place name”
- Meaning
- from a Cornish place name
- Origin
- Cornish
- Pronunciation
- DEN-zuhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,166
- US babies 2025
- 177
- Best rank
- #311 (1993)
- Peak year
- 1993
Meaning and origin of Denzel
Denzel is a Cornish name that is usually said to mean “from a Cornish place name”.
Denzel comes from a Cornish place name, Denzell, which later became a surname. The name is best known today through Denzel Washington, the American actor and director who has won multiple Academy Awards, and his fame is largely responsible for its use as a given name. Denzel has a strong, confident sound, with stress on the first syllable. It feels polished, charismatic and modern. It suits families who like names with a clear association with talent and dignity. Denz and Zel are possible nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Denzil.
Popularity over time
Denzel first appears in US Social Security records in 1906. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 21 different years, starting in 1990. Its best national rank was #311 in 1993, the same year it reached its highest count of 864 babies. In 2025, 177 babies were named Denzel, and it ranked #1,166 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,605 in 1920, #2,047 in 1950, #6,489 in 1980, #776 in 2000, #1,072 in 2010, and #1,166 in 2025. Of the 11,738 US boys named Denzel since records began, 46% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 2,121 babies. Since 2010, 2,912 more have been named Denzel.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Zackery, Zachariah, Salvador, Darian, and Tyrell.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Denzel ranked highest in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #636 | 7 |
| Minnesota | #727 | 6 |
| Maryland | #730 | 6 |
| New Jersey | #783 | 8 |
| Virginia | #822 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Denzel is usually pronounced DEN-zuhl, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-el”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Denzil.
Middle names for Denzel
A few middle names that flow with Denzel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Denzel
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Lists that include Denzel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Denzel mean?
Denzel is a Cornish name that is usually said to mean “from a Cornish place name”.
What is the origin of the name Denzel?
Denzel has Cornish roots. Denzel comes from a Cornish place name, Denzell, which later became a surname.
Is Denzel a popular name?
Not especially. Denzel ranked #1,166 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Denzel a boy or girl name?
Denzel is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Denzel?
Denzel is usually pronounced DEN-zuhl. 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