Dede is a shortened form of the name Dorothy, which means gift of God in Greek. Dede is also a Nigerian name that means love or patience. In Turkish, dede means grandfather. Dede is a common name in many African cultures, including the Yoruba people of Nigeria and the Ashanti people of Ghana. In some cultures, Dede is a term of endearment for a grandmother or elderly woman. Dede is a popular name for girls in some parts of the world, including the United States, where it has been consistently ranked among the top 1,000 names for girls since the 1880s. Dede is a unisex name, and has been used for both boys and girls in different cultures. Dede has been associated with several positive traits, including kindness, compassion, and wisdom. In some cultures, Dede is believed to be a name that brings good luck and prosperity. Dede has been used as a nickname for people with various names that start with D, such as David, Daniel, or Diana. Dede has been featured in several notable works of fiction, including the novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker and the film The Grandfather (Dede) by Emir Kusturica. Dede is a popular name for businesses and brands, including a chain of restaurants in the southern United States called Dede's and a line of handbags called Dede's Bags.

The root form of Dede is Dede — meaning Divine.

Dede remains a beloved choice, ranking #14 in the US. Timeless appeal across cultures and generations.