Dez first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Dez has been for the last 25 years (from 1999 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Dez

A short form of the French name Desirée, meaning "desired one".

Popularity of Dez by gender

Based on the last 25 years of data, Dez is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 15 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Dez.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 15 0
2022 24 0
2021 16 0
2020 13 0
2019 18 0
2018 14 0
2017 21 0
2016 30 0
2015 44 0
2014 31 0
2013 25 0
2012 26 0
2011 12 0
2010 19 0
2008 11 0
2005 8 0
1999 5 0

The history of the first name Dez

The name Dez originates from the French language and is a diminutive form of the name Desiderius, which has Latin roots. Desiderius was derived from the Latin word "desiderare," meaning "to desire" or "to long for." The name Dez gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly in France and other parts of Europe.

In ancient times, the name Desiderius was borne by several notable figures. One of the most famous was Desiderius, the last king of the Lombards, who ruled in the 8th century. He played a significant role in the conflicts between the Lombards and the Franks, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Lombard Kingdom.

Another historical figure with the name Desiderius was Pope Victor III, born Desiderius of Benevento in the 11th century. He served as the Pope from 1086 to 1087 and was known for his efforts to reform the Church and combat simony (the buying and selling of ecclesiastical offices).

The earliest recorded examples of the name Dez can be traced back to the 12th and 13th centuries in France. One notable bearer of the name was Dez de Marsal, a French nobleman and military commander who lived in the 13th century and participated in the Crusades.

Throughout history, several famous individuals have borne the name Dez. One of them was Dez Monplaisir, a French-Canadian actor and singer who was born in 1940 and gained popularity for his performances in various theater productions and films.

Another notable figure was Dez Fitzpatrick, an American football player who was born in 1998 and played wide receiver for the University of Louisville. He was later drafted by the New England Patriots in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Dez Bryant, an American football player born in 1988, is perhaps one of the most well-known bearers of the name Dez. He played as a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL from 2010 to 2017 and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times.

Dez Fafara, born in 1966, is an American musician and the lead vocalist of the heavy metal bands DevilDriver and Coal Chamber. He has been a prominent figure in the metal scene and has released numerous successful albums.

Overall, the name Dez has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including nobility, religious figures, artists, and athletes, making it a diverse and culturally significant name.

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

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

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