Denzel comes from the Cornish place name Denzell, whose meaning is uncertain and is sometimes explained as "from the high stronghold". It became a given name in Cornwall and reached a worldwide audience through actor Denzel Washington, who was named after his father. In the United States Denzel ranked number 776 in 2000, peaked at number 707 in 2002 and stands at number 1166 in 2025.