Denzel
Boy name · #1166 in 2025 · Rare
How old is the name Denzel? In official American birth records, Denzel has been tracked continuously since 1906, giving it 119 years of documented American history.
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. Source: Official national birth records.
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?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Denzel is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "rare". A high score means genuine rarity — your Denzel will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Denzel is most common
Geography matters for names, and Denzel is no exception. Adjusted for how many boys are born in each state, Denzel is most common in FL (0.2 per 1,000), NY (0.2 per 1,000), TX (0.1 per 1,000), CA (0.1 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 0.1 per 1,000 boys. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Denzel is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
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
How old is the name Denzel?
In official American birth records, the name Denzel first appeared in 1906 (over 119 years ago), when 6 newborn boys received the name. It has been tracked in modern national records for 119 years.
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. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "rare".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.