Dionysia

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Dionysia

Gender: Feminine
Language: English, Latin, Greek
Etymology:
Dionysia is the feminine form of the Greek Dionysios, meaning “Honored by Dionysos,” the Greek god of wine.

History:
Dionysia, although the name of two early martyrs, was never really all that common, except in France, where the popularity of St. Denis created the need for a feminine form of his name (Denise).

Denise first appeared in the 12th century in France (spelled “Denis”). It was common until the 18th century. Denise was revived in the late 19th century in France and spread to the English-speaking world.

Dionysia, in the English form of Denis, was found in the Middle Ages (the surname Dwight comes from it). It lasted from the 12th century until the 18th century.

Today, it is only found as Denise, which was reimported from France in the late 19th century.

Pronunciation: dy-oh-NIZ-ee-ah.

Diminutives:
English (Middle): Dennet, Diot.

Alternates:
English (Modern): Denise, Denice, Dennise, Denese, Denisse, Denyse, Dione, Dionna, Dionne).
English (Middle): Denis, Deionis, Dionise.
French: Denise.
Spanish: Dionisia.

Surnames:
English: Dwight.

See also: Denise, Denis.

Famous Bearers:
Religious Figures:
St. Dionysia (1st century)
An early matyr.
St. Dionysia (-484)
Martyr.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.264 % named Denise
0.009 % named Dionne
0.008 % named Denice
0.002 % named Dennise
0.002 % named Denisha
0.002 % named Denese
0.002 % named Dione
0.002 % named Dionna
0.002 % named Dennis
0.002 % named Dennise
0.001 % named Denisse
0.001 % named Denyse
less than 0.001 % named Dionyisa