Desmond
A boys’ name of Irish origin, meaning gracious defender; from south munster.
How Desmond has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #352 |
| 2016 | #371 |
| 2017 | #325 |
| 2018 | #323 |
| 2019 | #369 |
| 2020 | #362 |
| 2021 | #353 |
| 2022 | #363 |
| 2023 | #401 |
| 2024 | #368 |
| 2025 | #376 |
Desmond by the numbers
In 2025, 21 babies in England and Wales were named Desmond. In the US, 1,039 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given several times more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 1,067 babies in 1992, making it a 1990s name.
At its height, in 1990, about 1 in 2,500 American boys born that year was called Desmond.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Desmond. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Other names that mean grace
Like Desmond, each of these has grace in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- JohnGod is gracious9,444 in the US (2017)
- JackGod is gracious; from John1,595 in England and Wales (2025)
- Iangod is gracious; a form of john5,012 in the US (2017)
- JaxsonGod is gracious; a form of Jackson4,832 in the US (2017)
- EvanGod is gracious4,795 in the US (2017)
- Milessoldier; merciful3,615 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean a protector
Like Desmond, each of these has a protector in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Liamresolute protector; short form of William18,764 in the US (2017)
- Williamresolute protector14,922 in the US (2017)
- Alexanderdefender of the people12,488 in the US (2017)
- Parkerkeeper of the park; park ranger5,833 in the US (2017)
- Alexisdefender, helper2,847 in the US (2017)
- Alexdefender, helper; short form of Alexander or Alexis2,766 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Desmond
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