Dempsey Unisex

Popularity: #897 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DEM-see //ˈdɛm.si//

Origin: Irish; English

Meaning: Irish: 'proud'; English: 'descendant of the noble'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Dempsey has its roots in the Irish surname "Ó Dempsey," which means "descendant of Dempsey." The original Gaelic form is "Ó Diomasaigh," derived from the personal name "Diomasach," which is believed to mean "proud" or "arrogant." This surname was historically associated with a prominent Gaelic family in the province of Leinster, particularly in County Laois, where they were noted as local chieftains during the medieval period. The transition of the name into its anglicized form, Dempsey, occurred as the English language and culture began to influence Ireland, particularly from the 17th century onward, leading to the adoption of more simplified spellings and pronunciations.

Throughout history, the Dempsey family played significant roles in Irish history, particularly during the 12th century when they were involved in various conflicts and alliances with other Gaelic clans and the Anglo-Norman invaders. The Dempseys were known for their resistance against English rule and their efforts to maintain Gaelic traditions and lands.

Notably, the family was mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century, which highlights their importance in the socio-political landscape of Ireland. Culturally, the name Dempsey carries connotations of pride and nobility, reflecting its Gaelic origins.

The name has been associated with various historical figures, including the notable Irish-American boxer Jack Dempsey in the early 20th century, who brought further recognition to the name. The enduring nature of the name Dempsey in both Ireland and among the Irish diaspora signifies its deep-rooted heritage and the cultural significance of family lineage in Irish society.

The diminutive form "Demp" may also be used informally, though it is less common in historical texts.

Famous people named Dempsey

In this section, you will find notable people named Dempsey. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Dempsey who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Dempsey who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Dempsey McKinney is a professional wrestler best known for his appearances in various independent wrestling promotions.

Fictional characters named Dempsey

The following list of fictional characters named Dempsey is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Dempsey is a fictional character from the video game series Dempsey's Revenge. He is a skilled fighter known for his determination and resilience in the face of adversity.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Dempsey, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

DylanDeclanDonovanDorianDamianDashiell

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dempsey. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

DempsterDerrickDesmondDanteDorianDexterDawsonDamon

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Dempsey was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Dempsey has ranked as high as #3028 nationally, which occurred in 2014, and has been most popular in North Carolina, California, Texas, West Virginia, and Alabama.

In the past 5 years the name Dempsey has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Dempsey is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Dempsey was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Dempsey.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 85 41 44
2024 74 45 29
2023 93 59 34
2022 80 52 28
2021 99 70 29
2020 76 51 25
2019 92 62 30
2018 81 55 26
2017 87 66 21
2016 95 71 24
2015 109 72 37
2014 124 94 30
2013 114 77 37
2012 80 62 18
2011 93 68 25
2010 56 47 9
2009 44 28 16
2008 40 29 11
2007 37 28 9
2006 23 23 0
2005 22 17 5
2004 10 10 0
2003 18 18 0
2002 18 18 0
2001 9 9 0
2000 24 19 5
1999 17 17 0
1998 27 18 9
1997 22 22 0
1996 34 22 12
1995 20 15 5
1994 15 15 0
1993 18 10 8
1992 17 17 0
1991 15 15 0
1990 14 14 0
1989 15 15 0
1988 16 16 0
1987 19 19 0
1986 8 8 0
1985 8 8 0
1984 14 14 0
1983 13 13 0
1982 14 14 0
1981 9 9 0
1980 23 23 0
1979 23 23 0
1978 11 11 0
1977 12 12 0
1976 14 14 0
1975 16 16 0
1974 25 25 0
1973 24 24 0
1972 19 19 0
1971 11 11 0
1970 26 26 0
1969 16 16 0
1968 22 22 0
1967 17 17 0
1966 17 17 0
1965 23 23 0
1964 36 36 0
1963 20 20 0
1962 28 28 0
1961 32 32 0
1960 24 24 0
1959 34 34 0
1958 46 46 0
1957 32 32 0
1956 31 31 0
1955 39 39 0
1954 43 43 0
1953 32 32 0
1952 32 32 0
1951 41 41 0
1950 38 38 0
1949 54 54 0
1948 48 48 0
1947 41 35 6
1946 38 38 0
1945 35 35 0
1944 39 39 0
1943 37 37 0
1942 42 42 0
1941 47 40 7
1940 30 30 0
1939 35 35 0
1938 45 45 0
1937 41 41 0
1936 26 26 0
1935 35 35 0
1934 42 42 0
1933 43 43 0
1932 40 40 0
1931 41 41 0
1930 55 55 0
1929 49 49 0
1928 69 69 0
1927 75 75 0
1926 53 53 0
1925 59 59 0
1924 41 41 0
1923 82 76 6
1922 81 81 0
1921 108 108 0
1920 98 93 5
1919 107 107 0
1918 44 44 0
1917 36 36 0
1916 25 25 0
1915 32 32 0
1914 18 18 0
1913 17 17 0
1912 12 12 0
1911 11 11 0
1910 12 12 0
1909 13 13 0
1908 6 6 0
1907 10 10 0
1906 7 7 0
1905 5 5 0
1904 5 5 0
1903 9 9 0
1901 6 6 0
1900 6 6 0
1897 5 5 0
1896 6 6 0
1894 7 7 0
1893 5 5 0
1892 8 8 0
1891 5 5 0
1890 6 6 0
1889 5 5 0
1886 5 5 0
1885 6 6 0
1883 9 9 0
1882 6 6 0
1880 11 11 0

Top States for Dempsey (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%