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

Popularity of Desiree by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Desiree is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Desiree being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 196 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Desiree.

The history of the first name Desiree

The name Desiree is derived from the French word "desirer," which means "to desire" or "to wish for." The name traces its origins back to the medieval period in France, where it was initially used as a term of endearment or affection.

During the Renaissance, the name Desiree gained popularity among the French nobility and aristocracy. It was often bestowed upon daughters as a way of expressing the parents' wish or desire for their child's happiness and success.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Desiree can be found in the writings of the 16th-century French poet Pierre de Ronsard, who dedicated a poem to a woman named Desiree. This literary reference helped establish the name's association with beauty, grace, and romantic love.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Desiree. One of the most famous was Desiree Clary (1777-1860), who became the first wife of the Swedish King Charles XIV John (formerly Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte). Their marriage, which took place in 1798, was a result of Napoleon Bonaparte's efforts to strengthen his political alliances.

Another prominent figure named Desiree was Desiree Gould (1885-1964), a British actress and singer who rose to fame in the early 20th century. She appeared in numerous West End productions and was celebrated for her performances in light operas and musical comedies.

In the field of literature, Desiree Bartry (1853-1910) was a French writer and journalist known for her novels and contributions to feminist literature. Her works explored themes of women's rights and societal expectations during the late 19th century.

Desiree Armfeldt (1925-2020) was a Swedish countess and member of the Swedish royal family. She was the daughter of Count Carl Bernadotte and gained recognition for her philanthropic work and support of various charitable causes.

Lastly, Desiree Goyette (born 1964) is a Canadian ice hockey player and coach. She represented Canada in four Olympic Games, winning gold medals in 2002 and 2006, and has been inducted into several sports halls of fame for her contributions to women's hockey.

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 Desiree was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!