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

Popularity of Desmond by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Desmond is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Desmond being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 789 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Desmond.

The history of the first name Desmond

The name Desmond originated from the Old French "Desmund" or "Desiree", which means "one who is protected" or "desired". It is derived from the Germanic elements "des" meaning "people" and "mund" meaning "protection". The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages across Europe.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Desmond can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of landholdings and resources in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Desemundus" in this historic document, referring to a landowner in the county of Berkshire.

In the 12th century, the Desmond family became one of the most powerful and influential Norman noble houses in Ireland. The Desmonds were the Lords of Desmond, a territory spanning parts of modern-day counties Cork and Kerry. The family played a significant role in Irish history, often clashing with English authorities during the Tudor conquest of Ireland.

One notable bearer of the name was Desmond Tutu, a South African Anglican bishop and theologian who was born in 1931 and passed away in 2021. He was a renowned anti-apartheid activist and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his efforts in promoting racial equality and human rights.

Another famous Desmond was Desmond Morris, a British zoologist, ethologist, and popular author who was born in 1928 and passed away in 2022. He is best known for his groundbreaking work on human behavior and body language, including the book "The Naked Ape" published in 1967.

Desmond Doss, an American World War II hero, was born in 1919 and passed away in 2006. He was a combat medic in the United States Army and became the first conscientious objector to receive the prestigious Medal of Honor for his bravery and selfless actions during the Battle of Okinawa.

Desmond Llewelyn, a Welsh actor, was born in 1914 and passed away in 1999. He is widely recognized for his portrayal of Q, the quartermaster in the James Bond film series, appearing in 17 Bond films between 1963 and 1999.

Desmond Dekker, a Jamaican ska and reggae singer and songwriter, was born in 1941 and passed away in 2006. He is considered one of the pioneers of the reggae genre and is best known for his hit songs like "Israelites" and "007 (Shanty Town)".

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

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

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