Fun Facts About the Name Dejay
- 142 babies named Dejay: U.S. records list 142 babies given the name Dejay from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Dejay Mean?
Dejay is a modern English name of uncertain meaning. Its most transparent origin is as a phonetic spelling of the initials D.J., pronounced "dee-jay." Used this way, it is an initialism rather than a translated word, so it has no lexical meaning of its own; any sense would come from the full names represented by D and J, such as David James or Daniel Joseph. A similar feminine name, Deja, is sometimes said to derive from the French déjà, meaning "already," and Dejay is occasionally described as a masculine variant of it. That link is not securely documented, and the resemblance in spelling does not establish a shared origin.
Dejay Name History & Origins
Dejay belongs to the modern English habit of turning initials into given names. Nicknames such as D.J., C.J., and T.J. became familiar in the 20th-century United States, and spellings like Dejay write out the sound of the letters as a single word. The same letters produced the word deejay, a 20th-century slang term for a disc jockey; "disc jockey" itself was coined in the 1930s for radio hosts who introduced recorded music. That word history explains the spelling but does not give the personal name a traditional meaning. The feminine name Deja has a separate history and is sometimes connected to French déjà, "already"; any overlap in sound or spelling with Dejay is not proof that the two names share an origin. Dejay is used in English-speaking countries, but its development as a given name is not well documented.
How Popular is the Name Dejay?
Dejay has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2017. Its best rank was #6,468 in 1980.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #12,482 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2023 | #9,108 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2019 | #12,606 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2018 | #9,911 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2017 | #7,212 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2015 | #12,514 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2014 | #9,886 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2013 | #12,584 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | #12,711 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2008 | #7,825 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2007 | #8,336 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 2006 | #8,156 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 2005 | #7,785 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2001 | #10,964 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1998 | #7,760 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1993 | #9,054 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1992 | #8,712 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1991 | #8,497 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1989 | #8,176 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1988 | #7,546 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1982 | #6,587 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1980 | #6,468 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Explore More Lists with Name Dejay
Most Popular Boy Names That Start with D
Unique Short Boy Names That Start with D
How the Name Dejay Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are strong in material matters, determined and stubborn. You have good business ability. You are a good worker, steady and practical, a builder who takes responsibility well. These qualities may bring you a position of authority and power. You are a doer, down-to-earth, serious-minded, reliable, and self-disciplined; have good power of concentration. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Dejay's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Dejay's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.