Desmond is a moderately popular boys' name in United States, ranking #376 in 2025 with 839 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2017 with 1,046 births ranking #327. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 34.0%. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 2,036 boys born was named Desmond. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Desmond is an Irish name originally meaning a man from South Munster. It has a distinguished, slightly old-world quality while still sounding warm and usable.
The name developed from a place-name and title background in Ireland before becoming a personal name. It later gained wider recognition in the English-speaking world through both politics and culture.