Tennison

Tennison is an English surname-turned-first-name with the literal meaning of "son of Dennis." The name Dennis itself derives from Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry. Tennison carries a distinguished literary connection through the renowned Victorian poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, which adds intellectual prestige to the name. As a first name, Tennison remains relatively uncommon, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive name with historical gravitas. The name has seen a modest increase in usage in recent decades as part of the trend toward using surnames as first names. With its strong consonants and rhythmic cadence, Tennison projects confidence and sophistication while offering the friendly nickname options of "Tenn" or "Tenney."

Tennison is also given to girls.

Pronounced TEN-uh-sun.

As of October 2026, Tennison ranked #10683 in US births in 2023 SSA, peaked at #8804 in 2019.