Origin and Meaning of Dewey

Meaning & Origin

Beloved or cherished

Origin: Welsh - Derived from the Welsh name Dewi, which is the name of a saint and means 'beloved' or 'dear'.

Interesting Facts

  • Dewey is often associated with the American librarian and educator Melvil Dewey, who developed the Dewey Decimal System for classifying library materials.
  • The name Dewey has been used predominantly in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States.
  • Notable bearers of the name include Dewey Farmington, a decorated World War II soldier, and Dewey Cox, a fictional character in the movie 'Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story'.
  • The name Dewey experienced a peak in popularity in the early to mid-20th century, especially in the 1920s and 1930s, but has since declined in usage.
  • Variations and related names include Dewitt (derived from the same root) and Dew, which may also be used as a nickname.