Desmond
Boy name · Celtic · Gaelic · Irish
Meaningfrom South Munster · Irish
- US rank
- #376
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #264 in 1992
839 babies were named Desmond in the US in 2025. It has dropped 15 places in five years.
Found on lists
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
US births per million boys, 1904–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Desmond you might not know, from US birth records and Wikipedia. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
Famous Desmond
Desmond Dekker
Jamaican ska singer-songwriter (1941–2006)
Choose Desmond and your child shares a first name with Desmond Dekker, a Jamaican ska singer-songwriter. A ready-made answer when someone asks “Desmond, like who?” Desmond Dekker's Wikipedia article is available in 33 languages, a good sign of just how widely known they are.
Read about Desmond Dekker on Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)Photo: Original photo by sean mason from Austin, Texas, USA. Cropped by Gaaarg., CC BY 2.0 (opens in a new tab), via Wikimedia Commons
- How commonAbout 1 in every 2,036 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Desmond, 839 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Desmond would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryDesmond first shows up in US birth records in 1904, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 121 years since.
- Best yearIts best year was 1992, when it reached #264.
- Where it's lovedDesmond is most popular in Vermont, where it ranks #64, followed by Wyoming (#89) and Alaska (#143). It makes the top 1,000 in almost every state.
- MeaningIn Irish, Desmond means “from South Munster”. Our records link it to Celtic, Gaelic and Irish roots.
About the name Desmond
Desmond is a boy name of Celtic, Gaelic and Irish origin meaning “from South Munster”. It has 7 letters and 2 syllables, starting with D and ending in “-ond”. US birth records list Desmond for boys from 1904 to 2025, in 118 of those 122 years. Its best year was 1992, when it ranked #264 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #376, with 839 babies.
Origin:Celtic namesGaelic namesIrish names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 17 | 59,230 boys |
| 1910s | 26 | 38,506 boys |
| 1920s | 34 | 29,019 boys |
| 1930s | 23 | 44,385 boys |
| 1940s | 16 | 60,643 boys |
| 1950s | 24 | 41,254 boys |
| 1960s | 62 | 16,062 boys |
| 1970s | 187 | 5,355 boys |
| 1980s | 291 | 3,440 boys |
| 1990s | 403 | 2,483 boys |
| 2000s | 316 | 3,160 boys |
| 2010s | 503 | 1,986 boys |
| 2020s | 503 | 1,987 boys |
More Celtic boy names
- Unisex name: Owen · well-born
- Unisex name: Logan · little hollow
- Unisex name: Rowan · little red-haired one
- Unisex name: Nolan · descendant of Nuallán
- Unisex name: Cameron · crooked nose
- Boy name: Ian · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Gael · a Gael
- Boy name: Arthur · possibly bear
Questions about the name Desmond
What does the name Desmond mean?
Desmond means “from South Munster” in Irish.
What is the origin of the name Desmond?
Desmond has Celtic, Gaelic, Irish roots in our records. Other Celtic names include Owen, Logan, Rowan.
Is Desmond a boy or girl name?
Desmond is a boy name.
How popular is the name Desmond?
Desmond ranked #376 for US boys in 2025, given to 839 babies. Its best year was 1992 (#264).