Denise

Meaning: Its source is Dionysios, a Greek name meaning "Dedicated to Dionysos."

Languages: This girl's name is used in Dutch, English, Greek and French.

Nicknames: Deni, Denni and Denny

Compound Forms: Denita

Alternative Spellings: Danice, Denese, Denice, Deniece, Denisse, Dennise, Denys and Denyse

Variant Forms: Denisha, Venise and Denyce

Non-English Forms: Denisa

Popularity: The name Denise ranked 310th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 74th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

This name makes a strong showing in state popularity data of the 1960s, but makes few (if any) appearances on lists compiled after that period.

Narrative: Dionysos, also known as Bacchus, was the Greek god of wine and revelry. The theatre was under his special protection as well.

In modern thought, Dionysos symbolizes spontaneity and instinct, in contrast to Apollo, the god of wisdom, who stands for science and intellect.

Leadership

Denise McNair
- Killed in civil rights movement September 15, 1963 (see list of Names on the Civil Rights Memorial)

Sports

Denise Biellmann
- 1981 World Figure Skating champion (see list of World Figure Skating Champions)
Denise Curry
American basketball player.
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997 (see list of Basketball Hall of Fame)

Stage and Screen

Denise Crosby (born 1957)
American actress.
- Portrayed Lieut. Tasha Yar, 1987-88, and made several guest appearances in later seasons (see list of Actors on ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'')
Denise Dowse
- Portrayed Mrs. Teasley from 1992-93 (see list of Actors on ''Beverly Hills 90210'')
Denise Ianello
Fictional character.
- Portrayed by Debi Mazar (see list of Characters on ''L.A. Law'')
Denise Huxtable Kendall
Fictional character.
- Portrayed by Lisa Bonet (see list of Characters on ''The Cosby Show'')