Dean Day falls on August 10 every year and celebrates everyone bearing the name. ‘Dean’ is a masculine name that is used as a given name, a middle name, a surname, and in some instances, a stage name. Its origin can be traced to Europe. One is from the English surname ‘Deane,’ which comes from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘denu’ meaning ‘valley.’ Another is from the Greek word ‘dekanos’ which means ‘monk or dignitary in charge of 10 others.’ Lastly, there is the Anglicization of the Hebrew noun ‘din,’ meaning ‘law’ or ‘justice.’ Throughout history, there are several famous people named Dean in politics, engineering, sports, and entertainment. With such a versatile name, there’s no question about saving a day in the calendar just for you!
History of Dean Day
Several iconic people in history bear the name ‘Dean.’ One example is American engineer and inventor Dean Kamen. His prowess with technology was evident from his early days. When he was a teen, Kamen was already being paid for his ideas. Bands and museums in his locality paid him to build their light and sound systems. Through such ventures, his annual earnings reached $60,000 before he graduated from high school.
Kamen’s best-known invention is the Segway PT, which is an electric, self-balancing human transporter with a computer-controlled control system and gyroscopic stabilization. The Segway is balanced on two parallel wheels and is controlled by shifting your body weight. Kamen also holds patents for the iBOT, an all-terrain electric wheelchair, a drug infusion pump, and a water purification system, among many others. The invention he is most proud of is F.I.R.S.T., (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). He founded this organization in 1989 intending to build students’ interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Kamen won numerous awards during his career. Some of these include the 5th Annual Heinz Award in Technology, the Economy and Employment in 1999 and the National Medal of Technology from then-President Bill Clinton in 2000. He was likewise inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his invention of the AutoSyringe in 2005.
Another notable individual is David Dean Rusk. He served as the U.S. Secretary of State for eight years from 1961 under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He was the second-longest serving Secretary of State after Cordell Hull. He briefly served in the Army reserves in the 1930s, then held various political positions before becoming the Secretary of State. He retired on January 20, 1969, after a long and challenging career.
Dean Day timeline
Rusk becomes the U.S. Secretary of State.
Kamen drops out of Worcester Polytechnic Institute after five years of private advanced research for AutoSyringe, the insulin pump.
Alan Dean Foster wins the Grand Master Award from the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers.
Disney pays Foster and his fellow “Star Wars” novelization authors Donald F. Glut and James Kahn their royalties.
Dean Day FAQs
How many novels has Alan Dean Foster written?
Foster has more than 20 standalone novels to his name.
How many Star Trek-based books did Foster write?
Foster wrote 10 books based on episodes of the animated “Star Trek.”
Where was U.S. politician Dean Fisher born?
Dean Fisher was born and raised in Garwin, Iowa.
Dean Day Activities
Share on social media
This holiday is largely unknown to the public. Celebrate the day by posting about it on social media.
Show appreciation
Hug the Deans in your life. Call them up, ask how they are doing, and let them know how much you love them.
Learn some history
Discover more about the name ‘Dean.’ There are numerous notable characters in history with this name.
5 Facts About Dean That Will Amaze You
Rusk’s family were immigrants
Former U.S. Secretary of State Dean Dean Rusk's ancestors emigrated from Northern Ireland in the 1790s.
Rusk became a professor after politics
After leaving the U.S. Secretary of State post, Rusk taught international relations at the University of Georgia School of Law.
Dean is also a hardworking inventor
American engineer and inventor Dean Kamen holds over 1,000 patents.
Dean had a change of heart
Jeffrey Dean Morgan initially focused on his other interests such as painting and writing before getting into acting as an experiment.
Morgan eventually succeeded in acting
Morgan has appeared in over 25 feature films, but he is best known for his work in T.V. series like “Supernatural,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “The Walking Dead.”
Why We Love Dean Day
We celebrate icons
This day honors famous people in various industries named Dean. It's a day to honor their lives and achievements.
We learn history
The history of the name ‘Dean’ is vast. This day is perfect for learning more about it from its origins in different cultures until today.
We have a good time
National Dean Day is fit for partying. We acknowledge all Deans around the globe with merriment.
Dean Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | August 10 | Sunday |
| 2026 | August 10 | Monday |
| 2027 | August 10 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | August 10 | Thursday |
| 2029 | August 10 | Friday |
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