Dean \dean\ as a boy's name is pronounced deen. It is of Old English origin, and the meaning of Dean is "valley; church official". Place name, or occupational name signifying a church official or the head of a school. The name also means "law" in Hebrew. Actors Dean Cain; Dean Martin; American Secretaries of State Dean Acheson, Dean Rusk.

Dean has 5 variant forms: Deane, Deen, Dene, Deyn and Dino.

Baby names that sound like Dean are Dan, Deon, Den and Doan.