Desmond is a name of Irish origin and meaning. It comes from the old Irish given name "Dub-sín", which translates to "from the south" or "of the south". This name was popularized in English-speaking countries by the Desmond family, who were powerful landowners in Ireland during the Middle Ages.
The Desmonds were an important Norman-Irish family, descended from a knight named Maurice Fitzgerald who arrived in Ireland with the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1169. The family's power and influence reached its peak in the late 14th century when John FitzThomas FitzGerald, 3rd Earl of Desmond, ruled over much of southwest Ireland.
The name Desmond has also been associated with some notable figures throughout history. One such figure is St. Desmond, a 6th-century Irish saint who was said to have performed miracles and whose feast day is celebrated on April 8th.
In literature, the name Desmond has appeared in works by authors such as Oscar Wilde and W.B. Yeats. It also gave its name to the character Desmonde in Thomas Hardy's novel "The Mayor of Casterbridge".
Overall, Desmond is a strong and distinctive Irish name with a rich history behind it. Its meaning adds to its appeal, suggesting a connection to the south or southern regions. While it may not be as commonly used today as it once was, Desmond remains an attractive choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their child.
The name Desmond has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1975 and 2013, a total of 233 babies were given the name Desmond at birth.
In the late 1970s to early 1980s, the name experienced some fluctuations in popularity. There was an increase from 8 births in 1977 to 11 births in 1980, but then it dipped to 6 births in 1982. The decade ended with another rise to 11 births in 1989.
The 1990s saw a more consistent trend for the name Desmond. It started off at 11 births in 1991, peaked at 16 births in 1997, and then decreased again to 8 births by 1998. The decade concluded with 10 births in 1999.
The new millennium saw a decline in the popularity of the name Desmond. There were only 5 births each year from 2000 to 2002, and then it increased slightly to 6 births in 2003. After that, there was another dip to 5 births in both 2007 and 2013.
Despite these ups and downs, the name Desmond has been given to at least one baby each year during this period, showing some consistent level of popularity over time.