Desmond

Meaning of Desmond

This name comes from an old Irish surname meaning 'from South Munster'. It refers to a person from a specific region in Ireland.

Desmond has Irish roots — browse every Irish baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Desmond

Desmond has held fairly steady, sitting around #376 in 2025 after peaking at #323 in 2018.

Notable people named Desmond

• Desmond Tutu
  South African anti-apartheid activist, archbishop
• Desmond Howard
  Former NFL player, sports analyst
• Desmond Doss
  WWII Medal of Honor recipient
• Desmond Harrington
  Actor (Dexter, Gossip Girl)
• Desmond Child
  Grammy-winning songwriter, music producer

More Irish names

Questions about the name Desmond

What does the name Desmond mean?

Desmond means this name comes from an old irish surname meaning 'from south munster'. it refers to a person from a specific region in ireland, and it comes from Irish origins.

Is Desmond a boy's or a girl's name?

Desmond is most commonly used as a boy's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Desmond?

In 2025, Desmond ranked #376 for boys, down from #368 the year before.

When was Desmond most popular?

Desmond peaked at #323 in 2018.