Damien Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationDAY-mee-ən / /ˈdeɪ.mi.ən/Greek; Latin; French
Meaning
Greek: to tame; Latin: the one who is devoted
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Damien has roots in ancient Greek, derived from the word 'damianos', which means 'to tame' or 'subdue'. It became popular in the Christian tradition due to Saint Damien of Molokai, who dedicated his life to caring for leprosy patients in Hawaii. The name has been used in various cultures and languages, gaining prominence in the 20th century.
Trend Summary
The name Damien has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., peaking in the late 20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Damian
- Damon
International Variants
- Damien (French)
- Damián (Spanish)
- Damiano (Italian)
Famous people named Damien
Damien Hirst is a British artist known for his controversial works that explore themes of life and death.
Damien Lewis is a British actor recognized for his roles in television series such as 'Band of Brothers' and 'Homeland'.
Damien Chazelle is an American filmmaker acclaimed for directing the Oscar-winning film 'La La Land'.
Damien Rice is an Irish singer-songwriter known for his emotive music and hit songs like 'The Blower's Daughter'.
Fictional characters named Damien
Damien Thorn is a character from the horror film series 'The Omen', known as the Antichrist.
Damien Karras is a character in 'The Exorcist', a priest who struggles with his faith while confronting demonic possession.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Damien was first seen in the United States in 1936. Damien has ranked as high as #329 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Damien has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Damien (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 153 | |
| TX | 108 | |
| FL | 55 | |
| NY | 52 | |
| OH | 41 | |
| IL | 40 | |
| PA | 31 | |
| AZ | 30 | |
| MI | 29 | |
| WA | 27 | |
| NC | 27 | |
| VA | 21 | |
| KY | 20 | |
| IN | 19 | |
| GA | 19 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1936 | 6 |
| 1938 | 6 |
| 1940 | 13 |
| 1941 | 9 |
| 1942 | 7 |
| 1943 | 8 |
| 1945 | 5 |
| 1946 | 7 |
| 1947 | 11 |
| 1948 | 11 |
| 1949 | 15 |
| 1950 | 10 |
| 1951 | 17 |
| 1952 | 21 |
| 1953 | 12 |
| 1954 | 17 |
| 1955 | 18 |
| 1956 | 15 |
| 1957 | 26 |
| 1958 | 32 |
| 1959 | 28 |
| 1960 | 37 |
| 1961 | 38 |
| 1962 | 42 |
| 1963 | 35 |
| 1964 | 45 |
| 1965 | 43 |
| 1966 | 35 |
| 1967 | 51 |
| 1968 | 85 |
| 1969 | 93 |
| 1970 | 124 |
| 1971 | 148 |
| 1972 | 274 |
| 1973 | 355 |
| 1974 | 658 |
| 1975 | 542 |
| 1976 | 663 |
| 1977 | 834 |
| 1978 | 1,508 |
| 1979 | 1,322 |
| 1980 | 1,338 |
| 1981 | 1,038 |
| 1982 | 951 |
| 1983 | 790 |
| 1984 | 708 |
| 1985 | 687 |
| 1986 | 645 |
| 1987 | 580 |
| 1988 | 658 |
| 1989 | 774 |
| 1990 | 746 |
| 1991 | 813 |
| 1992 | 865 |
| 1993 | 904 |
| 1994 | 976 |
| 1995 | 953 |
| 1996 | 840 |
| 1997 | 907 |
| 1998 | 950 |
| 1999 | 1,119 |
| 2000 | 1,303 |
| 2001 | 1,402 |
| 2002 | 1,652 |
| 2003 | 1,890 |
| 2004 | 1,957 |
| 2005 | 1,939 |
| 2006 | 1,993 |
| 2007 | 2,265 |
| 2008 | 2,111 |
| 2009 | 2,013 |
| 2010 | 1,937 |
| 2011 | 1,834 |
| 2012 | 1,666 |
| 2013 | 1,619 |
| 2014 | 1,508 |
| 2015 | 1,424 |
| 2016 | 1,304 |
| 2017 | 1,353 |
| 2018 | 1,362 |
| 2019 | 1,245 |
| 2020 | 1,216 |
| 2021 | 1,233 |
| 2022 | 1,102 |
| 2023 | 1,012 |
| 2024 | 999 |