Holding steady.
Popularity of Desma since 1915
Babies named Desma per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1968, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Desma's real moment was 1915.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 38 |
| 1920s | 40 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 60 |
| 1960s | 63 |
| 1970s | 107 |
| 1980s | 62 |
| 1990s | 65 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Desma is a rare and intriguing name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1915, the same year it reached its peak usage. Though it never broke into the national top 1000, its 1-in-N ratio reflects even lower frequency among live births remain unrecorded due to data suppression for counts below 5. Its trajectory has been largely stable, with no significant revival in later decades. The name's obscurity makes it a distinctive choice, though its etymology remains uncertain, possibly linking it to Shakespeare's tragic Desdemona or the Irish Desmond. Parents considering Desma should be aware of its potential literary or geographical associations and its status as a true rarity.
Desma is a rare given name of uncertain derivation. It may have emerged as a diminutive or variant of Desdemona, the tragic heroine of Shakespeare's Othello, whose name is of Greek origin meaning 'ill-fated' or 'misery.' Alternatively, it could be a feminine form of the Irish name Desmond, meaning 'from South Munster.' The name saw brief use in the early 20th century, primarily in the United States, but has remained uncommon.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Desi, Dessie
Sibling names for Desma
Names that share Desma's style, for a brother or sister.
