The name Desiree is of French origin and means "desired" or "longed for". It was derived from the French word "désir", which translates to desire. The name has been popular throughout history, with notable figures such as Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, who had the given name Rose but was commonly known by her pet name Desiree.
The name Desiree has also been used in literature and art. It is the title character in "La Dame aux Camélias", a novel by Alexandre Dumas fils, which was later adapted into the opera "La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi. Additionally, Desiree Artôt, a famous Belgian operatic mezzo-soprano, was known professionally simply as Desiree.
In recent years, Desiree has seen a resurgence in popularity, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States and Australia. While it may not be as common as some other names, it remains a distinctive choice with a rich history and meaningful signification. It is often associated with elegance, sophistication, and passion, reflecting its origins and usage throughout history.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Desiree has had a fluctuating popularity over the past century in the United States. In the early 20th century, the number of babies named Desiree was quite low, with only a few births each year between 1910 and 1935. However, this began to change in the late 1940s.
The peak popularity of the name Desiree occurred between 1953 and 1978. During these years, the number of babies named Desiree significantly increased each year. The highest point was reached in 1978 with a total of 1808 births, which is a considerable jump from the previous year's 983 births.
After 1978, the popularity of the name Desiree began to decline gradually but steadily. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the number of babies named Desiree was around 2000 each year. However, since then, there has been a further decrease in its popularity.
Between 2014 and 2023, the total number of births for the name Desiree ranged from 196 to 233 annually, which is significantly lower than the peak years but still indicates that the name continues to be chosen for newborn girls in the United States. Overall, a total of 83,192 babies have been named Desiree in the United States since 1910.