Dennis

Dennis came into English through French Denis and ultimately the Greek personal name Dionysius, meaning associated with Dionysus. Dionysus is the Greek god connected with wine and theater. The deeper origin of the god’s name is uncertain, so “god of Nysa” is better treated as a traditional explanation than a settled literal translation.

Saint Denis gives the name a separate Christian history, while Dennis the Menace and actor Dennis Hopper are recognizable modern associations. Denis is the closest spelling comparison, and Denny provides a familiar short form. The doubled n changes the written shape without creating a different underlying name.