Dennis

This name derives from the Ancient Greek name “Diónūsos ‎(Διόνῡσος) > Diónysos ‎(Διόνυσος)”, composed of two elements: “Zeús ‎(Ζεύς) Días ‎(Δίας)” (Zeus, heavenly, divine) plus “Nûsa ‎(Νῦσᾰ) Nýsa ‎(Νύσα)” (mountainous land where the Hyades raised the infant god Dionysus). In Greek mythology, the mountainous district of Nysa, variously associated with Ethiopia, Libya, Tribalia, India or Arabia by Greek mythographers, was the traditional place where the rain-nymphs, the Hyades, raised the infant god Dionysus, the “Zeus of Nysa.” This name is linked to the Thracian Olympian deity Dionysus, the god of wine, parties, and festivals, madness, chaos, drunkenness, and pleasure of eternal youth. He was depicted in art as either an older bearded god or a pretty effeminate, long-haired youth. His symbols include the thyrsus (a pinecone-tipped staff), a drinking cup, a grapevine, and a crown of ivy.