"desired, longed for"
Origin: Latin (desiderare)
Language: English
Desire
Pronunciation: [ d-ihz-EYE-er ]
Does Desire flow with your last name?
A longed-for name written in the stars
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American
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Meaning & Origin
"to await the stars"
Origin: Latin (de + sidus)
Language: Latin
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The Story of Desire
Desire derives from the Latin desiderare, meaning to long for, to wish, from de + sidus (star) — literally to await what the stars hold. The French form Desire (accented Desiree for feminine) was traditionally given to long-awaited or much-wished-for children, making it a name of profound parental longing and love. The masculine Desire has been used primarily in French and French-influenced cultures.
Desire (as a male name) has been used in French-speaking countries for centuries. In the US it is most commonly encountered as the female name Desiree, but the masculine unaccented form Desire appears in African, Caribbean, and French-influenced communities as a given name for boys.
In Creole and Cajun communities of Louisiana, French names like Desire have been preserved for generations. The name also appears in French history and literature — Desire Clary was a Swedish queen who had been engaged to Napoleon Bonaparte before marrying King Charles XIV Johan of Sweden.
Historical Record
Desire first appeared in US Social Security records in 2007.
Over 99 babies have been named Desire in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Desire is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #6,919 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Desire derives from Latin meaning to await what the stars hold
- Desire Clary (1777-1860) was a French woman who became Queen of Sweden after Napoleon broke off their engagement
- The feminine Desiree ranked as high as #131 in the US in 1981
Desire in Other Languages
Latin
Desiderius
French
Desire
Italian
Desiderio
Spanish
Desiderio
Portuguese
Desiderio
Popularity Over Time
#6,919
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Desire
D
Desiree Clary
Royalty
1777
French woman who became Queen Desideria of Sweden; was once engaged to Napoleon Bonaparte
D
Desire Fictional
Other
One of the Endless in Neil Gaiman Sandman universe — a genderfluid being who embodies longing itself
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Compare Desire with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #6,919
- Total SSA Count
- 13
- Cultural Origins
- French Latin American American African
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Des
Desi
Ree
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Desire
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Desire is also used as a girl name, ranked #2197.
View Desire as a girl name →Similar Names
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Vietnamese origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Desire
What does the name Desire mean?
"desired, longed for" (from Latin (desiderare)). "to await the stars" (from Latin (de + sidus)). Desire derives from the Latin desiderare, meaning to long for, to wish, from de + sidus (star) — literally to await what the stars hold. The French form Desire (accented Desiree for feminine) was traditionally given to long-awaited or much-wished-for children, making it a name of profound parental longing and love. The masculine Desire has been used primarily in French and French-influenced cultures.
What is the origin of the name Desire?
Desire has Latin (desiderare), Latin (de + sidus), French, Latin American, American, and African origins. In Latin (desiderare), it means "desired, longed for". In Latin (de + sidus), it means "to await the stars".
Is Desire a boy or girl name?
Desire is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #6919. As a girl name, it is ranked #2197. Desire is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Desire?
Desire is pronounced d-ihz-EYE-er.
How popular is the name Desire?
Desire is currently ranked #6919 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Desire?
Common nicknames for Desire include Des, Desi, and Ree.
What are good middle names for Desire?
Popular middle name pairings include Desire Louis, Desire Jean, Desire Pierre, Desire Armand, Desire Claude, and Desire Marcel.
What are good sibling names for Desire?
Names that pair well with Desire as siblings include Rene, Monique, Celeste, Laurent, Margot, Simone, and Andre.
How many syllables does Desire have?
Desire has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Desire a common or rare name?
Desire is an uncommon name, ranked #6919 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Desire?
Are there other spellings for Desire?
Related spellings include Desi.
About the Name Desire
Desire is a boy name with French, Latin American, American, and African origins . The name means "desired, longed for" in Latin (desiderare) .
Is Desire a boy or girl name? Desire is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #6,919 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,197. Desire is more commonly used as a girl name.
Desire is currently ranked #6,919 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Desire has 3 syllables and is pronounced d-ihz-EYE-er, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Desire include Des, Desi, and Ree. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Desire include Desi . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis