Surname Dente - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Dente: What does the surname Dente mean?
The last name Dente is of Italian origin. In Italian, "dente" literally translates to "tooth". This surname might have originated as a nickname for someone with a distinctive tooth or for a dentist. It is quite common in Italy for surnames to derive from nicknames based on personal characteristics or professions. The surname has various forms across different regions, such as Denti, Dentone, Dentini, and De Denti. Like many Italian surnames, Dente is most common in the south of Italy, and it might be less common in the northern regions of the country. The variations of the name can also indicate the geographic origins of a specific family line within Italy. As this name is relatively direct in its meaning, it doesn't carry specific connotations or indicate membership in certain historic or noble houses.
Order DNA origin analysisDente: Where does the name Dente come from?
The surname Dente is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word for "tooth," which is "dente". The name was likely originally a nickname for someone with a distinctive tooth or teeth or perhaps a person involved in dentistry work in some way. It has been adopted over centuries and passed down in families.
The surname Dente is common in Italy, especially in the southern regions like Calabria. Other areas where the name is prevalent include Sicily and regions on the Adriatic coast. It is also found in the United States, Argentina, and Brazil due to Italian immigration. Despite this, it is not an extremely common surname globally. The spread of the surname is still predominantly around Italy partially due to its language-specific meaning. The exact concentration of people with the surname Dente in each location may be subject to shift due to ongoing migration and cultural assimilation trends. Nevertheless, the Dente lineage continues in many places around the world, carrying with it a piece of Italian linguistic and perhaps profession-specific history.
Variations of the surname Dente
"Dente" is an Italian surname and it is believed to be a metonymic occupational name for a dentist. The word "dente" translates to "tooth" in English.
Variations of the surname may stem from regional dialects, immigration, and variations in spelling over time. Variants and spellings of this surname may include Dent, Denté, De Dente, Dentis, Denti, Dentone, Dentoni, and Dentello.
It is also possible for the name to have been anglicized or changed upon immigration. For instance, the surname could have been translated directly into English or another language, resulting in surnames like "Tooth." It's also possible that the surname was altered to fit local pronunciation or spelling norms, resulting in different phonetic spellings like "Denty" or "Dantee."
Additionally, it's also common for individuals to use a patronymic form of a surname in some cultures, in this case, names such as "Dentini" (little Dente) or "Dentucci" (big Dente) might be used.
Please note that surname variations are numerous and can potentially be influenced by many factors, so this list is not exhaustive.
Famous people with the name Dente
- Americo Dente: He was a professional cyclist from Italy who competed in various racing tournaments during the period between 1978 and 1985.
- Francesca Dente: She is an Italian actress best known for her roles in movies like "The Flight of the Innocent" (1992) and "Our Lady of the Turks" (1968).
- Giuseppe Dente: He was an Italian priest and missionary who was appointed as the Apostolic Vicar of Arabia in 1953.
- Juan Dente: A well-recognized Uruguayan footballer who had played at the professional level in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Rubén Dente: Another notable footballer from Uruguay, who played as a defender for several Uruguayan clubs during his career.
- Alidarso Dente: He was a prominent leader from East Timor who served as the Chief of the Likisá District during the country's struggle for independence in the late 20th century.
- Luca Dente: He is an Italian journalist and current Deputy Director of the TGR Liguria, a regional newscast produced by Italian public broadcaster RAI. Other notable figures with this surname are mainly from Italy and include various authors, journalists, artists, politicians, and athletes.