Denim

• Origin: English
• Meaning: from Nîmes
• Gender: Unisex
• First Est. 1900s as a male name, early 2000s as a female name
• Pron: DEN-im

From the name of the material, which ultimately derives from the French serge de Nîmes, meaning “serge from Nîmes,” in reference to a type of fabric historically associated with the southern French city of Nîmes. The phrase was eventually contracted in English to denim. The original serge de Nîmes was not necessarily identical to the cotton denim fabric known today.

As a given-name, Denim has been in rare use since at least the early 20th century, particularly in the American South. Though predominantly masculine in its earliest use, it has also been used for females since at least the late 20th century.

The name received some exposure when American singer Toni Braxton named her first son Denim Cole in 2001. Another notable bearer is American actor Denim Richards (b. 1988), best known for his role as Colby Mayfield on the television series Yellowstone (2018–2024). The popularity of the series may have provided the name with some additional exposure in recent years.

Denim entered the U.S. Top 1000 Male Names for the first time in 2025, ranking at #880. It was also given to 101 girls that year.

Sister Names: Amber(lynn), Amethyst, Assisi, Autumn, Azure, Beige, Bijou, Blue, Burgundy, Calliope, Cambrie, Cameo, Cheyenne, Cricket, Dakota, Daytona, Denali, Echo, Eden, Ember, Fable, Fawn, Galaxy, Garnet, Greenley, Harbor, Haven, Heaven, Indigo, Jade, Jewel, Journey, Kenya, Kismet, Lacey, Locket, Lyric, Mauve, Misty, Montana, Nautica, Navy, Nova, Oakley, Ocea, Olive, Onyx, Opal, Paisley, Peridot, Poppy, Prairie, Rain, Raven, Remember, Savannah, Sienna, Sky(e), Taffy, Taupe, Teal, Umber, Unity, Velvet, Willow, Whisper, Winter, Zinnia, Zona

Brother Names: Apollo, Aries, Arroyo, Axel, Bear, Blaze, Boone, Brooks, Cannon, Canyon, Coast, Dakota, Dallas, Denver, Easton, Finch, Fox, Frost, Gatlin, Gray, Gunner, Harbor, Houston, Hudson, Hunter, Jagger, Jeb, Jettson, Laredo, Leaf, Lennox, Maverick, Mason, Memphis, Mercury, Navarone, Nemo, Neo, North, Nye, Oak, Ocean, Onyx, Orion, Peregrine, Phoenix, Plato, Presley, Quartz, Quarry, Reed, Rio, Rex, Rider, Ridge, Ringo, River, Rock, Rowan, Salem, Satchel, Shiloh, Stetson, Taj, Thorn, Truett, Valentine, Valor, Victor, Wilder, Wolf, Wood, Xander, Zale, Zane, Zebedy, Zebulon

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denim
• https://www.behindthename.com/name/denim/top?submitted=yes
• http://www.findagrave.com