The name Desiree is of French origin and means "desired" or "longed for." It is derived from the French word "désir," which translates to desire in English. The name was popularized by the French novel "Our Lady of the Flowers" written by Comte Octave de Villiers in 1852, in which Desiree is one of the main characters.
The name Desiree has been used since at least the mid-19th century, with its usage becoming more widespread during the early to mid-20th century. Today, it remains a popular choice for parents looking for a unique and elegant name for their daughters.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Desiree. Perhaps the most famous is Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, also known as Desiree, who was the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and served as the Empress of France from 1804 to 1810.
In literature and art, the name Desiree has been used in various works, including the French novel "Desiree" by Annamaria Alfieri and the song "Desiree" from the musical "A Little Night Music" composed by Stephen Sondheim. These examples showcase the enduring appeal of this beautiful and meaningful name across different cultures and time periods.
Overall, Desiree is a captivating and distinctive name with a rich history that continues to resonate with parents and individuals alike. Its meaning as something longed for or desired adds an extra layer of depth and significance to this elegant French name.
The name Desiree has seen a varied number of births in the United States over the past four decades. Between 1980 and 2018, there were a total of 284 babies named Desiree born in the U.S.
The popularity of the name peaked in the late 1990s to early 2000s, with a high of 20 births in 1998. This trend continued into the early 2000s, with 17 births in 2003 and 19 births in 2005.
However, since then, the number of births for the name Desiree has decreased, with fewer than 15 births per year from 2006 onwards. The most recent data available shows that there were 5 babies named Desiree born in the U.S. in 2018.
Despite this decline in popularity, Desiree remains a unique and distinctive name choice for parents looking to give their child a special moniker.