Find out how popular the first name Desire has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Desire by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Desire is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 98% of people named Desire being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 91 female babies and 14 male babies born with the name Desire.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 14 baby boys were named Desire in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Desire

The name Desire is derived from the Latin word "desiderare", which means "to long for" or "to desire". It originated in the late 14th century and was initially used as a noun to express a strong wish or craving for something.

The earliest recorded use of Desire as a given name dates back to the 15th century in France, where it was occasionally bestowed upon children, particularly girls, as a symbolic representation of longing for or desiring something profound, such as virtue, knowledge, or spiritual fulfillment.

In the 16th century, the name gained popularity among French and English Puritans, who viewed it as a virtuous expression of their desire for righteousness and a closer relationship with God. Desire Browne, an English Puritan and author born in 1591, was one of the earliest recorded individuals to bear this name.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Desire became a more widely used given name, particularly in Europe and North America. Notable individuals with this name include Desire Fearon (1636-1705), an English Puritan minister, and Desire Thobert (1723-1794), a French artist and painter.

In the 19th century, the name Desire gained further recognition, with Desire Nisard (1806-1888), a French writer and literary critic, and Desire Charnay (1828-1915), a French explorer and archaeologist who studied ancient Mesoamerican civilizations.

The 20th century saw Desire continue to be used as a given name, albeit less frequently than in previous centuries. One notable individual with this name was Desire Bassett (1919-2010), an American actress and singer who appeared in various films and television shows.

Throughout its history, the name Desire has been associated with a strong yearning or aspiration for something meaningful, whether it be spiritual, intellectual, or personal. Its Latin roots and symbolic significance have contributed to its enduring use as a given name, albeit with varying degrees of popularity across different time periods and cultures.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Desire was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Desire, please contact us.

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