Desmond is a distinctive choice, ranked #1952 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Desmond in their class.
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UK Rank 2024
#1952
US Rank #368
About the Name Desmond
Desmond has seen a notable decline in recent years, dropping 127 places in five years. It was most popular in 2009 at #1133 — parents choosing it today are making a deliberately counter-trend decision. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Desmond is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #368, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Desmond
Unlikely. With around 12 UK babies named Desmond per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Desmond in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Desmond has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 127 places in the last five years. Its peak was #1133 in 2009. Choosing it now means he is likely to be among the last of his generation with this name.
Desmond is more popular in the US (#368) than in the UK (#1952). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Desmond include: Desmond Bryant — Desmond Jerel Bryant is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL).; Desmond King (professor) — Desmond King is the Andrew W.; Dermot Desmond — Dermot Desmond is an Irish businessman and financier..
Desmond appears in the US top 500 at #368 in 2024 — moderately popular in America, though less so than in the UK.
12
UK babies named Desmond (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.0
In a school of 600
↓ 127 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Desmond
Likely around 1 other Desmond in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Desmond
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Desmond Jerel Bryant is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Harvard Crimson and was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2009.
Dermot Desmond is an Irish businessman and financier. He is estimated to be worth €2.04 billion and is ranked by the Sunday Independent as the ninth-richest person in Ireland.
The Desmond Rebellions occurred in 1569–1573 and 1579–1583 in the Irish province of Munster. They were rebellions by the Earl of Desmond, the head of the FitzGerald dynasty in Munster, and his followers, the Geraldines and their allies, against the threat of the extension of the English government over the province.
Desmond Chiam is an Australian actor. He is best known for his roles as Wyatt Cole on Reef Break, General Riga on The Shannara Chronicles, and Dovich on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.