Denzel
Boy name · #1166 in 2025 · Uniqueness 62/100
In 2025, 177 baby boys were named Denzel, placing it at #1166 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #1049, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 10,169 boys born in 2025 was named Denzel.
Babies named Denzel per year, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
The 119-year story
Denzel first appears in the Social Security records in 1906, when 6 boys received the name. Its peak came in 1993, when 864 boys were named Denzel — good for #311 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Denzel against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Denzel in class?
Denzel scores 62 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "distinctive" band. That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Denzel is most common
Geography matters for names, and Denzel is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Denzels were TX (19), CA (16), FL (16), NY (14), NJ (8). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
Names like Denzel
Statistically, parents drawn to Denzel tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Dillon, Jaleel, Darien, Deandre, and Darius.
DillonJaleelDarienDeandreDariusDimitriNigelDarian
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Denzel | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 177 | #1166 |
| 2024 | 217 | #1026 |
| 2023 | 196 | #1094 |
| 2022 | 198 | #1093 |
| 2021 | 135 | #1365 |
| 2020 | 163 | #1177 |
| 2019 | 165 | #1171 |
| 2018 | 181 | #1090 |
| 2017 | 194 | #1036 |
| 2016 | 176 | #1110 |
| 2015 | 189 | #1049 |
| 2014 | 183 | #1068 |
| 2013 | 203 | #985 |
| 2012 | 200 | #993 |
| 2011 | 155 | #1155 |
| 2010 | 180 | #1068 |
| 2009 | 202 | #982 |
| 2008 | 213 | #946 |
| 2007 | 187 | #1017 |
| 2006 | 196 | #948 |
| 2005 | 201 | #896 |
| 2004 | 250 | #744 |
| 2003 | 209 | #833 |
| 2002 | 253 | #707 |
| 2001 | 196 | #829 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Denzel a popular boy name?
Denzel ranked #1166 among boys in 2025 with 177 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #1049.
When was the name Denzel most popular?
Denzel peaked in 1993, when 864 American boys received the name (ranked #311 that year). Since 1993 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Denzel?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 10,169 newborn American boys was named Denzel. It scores 62/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "distinctive".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.