"desired, longed for"
Origin: French
Language: French
Desiree
Pronunciation: [ d-EHS-eyer-ee ]
Does Desiree flow with your last name?
A French romantic name meaning the beloved desired one
French
American
African American
Elegant
Sophisticated
Vintage
Romantic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"the desired one"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
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The Story of Desiree
Desiree comes from the French 'désirée,' meaning 'desired' or 'longed for,' derived from Latin 'desideratum' (that which is desired). It was used in France as a devotional name with the meaning 'the desired one of God,' parallel to the Hebrew Chephzibah. Napoleon Bonaparte's first love was Desirée Clary, who later became Queen of Sweden — giving the name royal European pedigree.
Desiree peaked in American popularity in the 1970s-1980s, particularly popular in African American communities. The name benefited from its exotic French feel and romantic meaning. Neil Diamond's 1977 song 'Desiree' helped sustain its pop culture presence.
Désirée Clary (1777-1860) is a remarkable historical figure: Napoleon's first love who married the French general Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, who became King of Sweden. She thus became Queen of Sweden and Norway, and the current Swedish royal family descends from her. This gives the name an unexpected Napoleonic-era royal connection.
Historical Record
Desiree first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 83,147 babies have been named Desiree in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Desiree is past its peak , currently ranked #1,132 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Désirée Clary was Napoleon's first love and went on to become Queen of Sweden and Norway
- Neil Diamond's 1977 hit 'Desiree' helped popularize the name in North America
Desiree in Other Languages
French
Désirée
Italian
Desirata
Spanish
Deseada
Portuguese
Desejada
Popularity Over Time
#1,132
Current Rank
Peaked 1983
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Desiree
D
Desiree Rogers
Business
1959
American businesswoman who served as White House Social Secretary under President Obama
D
Désirée Clary
Royalty
1777
Napoleon's first love who became Queen of Sweden and Norway as wife of King Karl Johan
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Compare Desiree with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,132
- Total SSA Count
- 213
- Cultural Origins
- French American African American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Desi
Dee
Raye
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, French heritage match, balanced 3-2 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
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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 Desiree
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Desiree is also used as a boy name, ranked #11149.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Desiree
What does the name Desiree mean?
"desired, longed for" (from French). "the desired one" (from Latin). Desiree comes from the French 'désirée,' meaning 'desired' or 'longed for,' derived from Latin 'desideratum' (that which is desired). It was used in France as a devotional name with the meaning 'the desired one of God,' parallel to the Hebrew Chephzibah. Napoleon Bonaparte's first love was Desirée Clary, who later became Queen of Sweden — giving the name royal European pedigree.
What is the origin of the name Desiree?
Desiree has French, Latin, American, and African American origins. In French, it means "desired, longed for". In Latin, it means "the desired one".
Is Desiree a boy or girl name?
Desiree is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1132. As a boy name, it is ranked #11149. Desiree is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Desiree?
Desiree is pronounced d-EHS-eyer-ee.
How popular is the name Desiree?
Desiree is currently ranked #1132 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Desiree?
Common nicknames for Desiree include Desi, Dee, and Raye.
What are good middle names for Desiree?
Popular middle name pairings include Desiree Marie, Desiree Nicole, Desiree Lynn, Desiree Ann, Desiree Renee, and Desiree Elise.
What are good sibling names for Desiree?
Names that pair well with Desiree as siblings include Cherie, Monique, Celeste, Andre, Rene, and Simone.
How many syllables does Desiree have?
Desiree has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Desiree a common or rare name?
Desiree is an uncommon name, ranked #1132 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Desiree?
About the Name Desiree
Desiree is a girl name with French, American, and African American origins . The name means "desired, longed for" in French .
Is Desiree a boy or girl name? Desiree is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,132 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #11,149. Desiree is more commonly used as a girl name.
Desiree is currently ranked #1,132 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Desiree has 3 syllables and is pronounced d-EHS-eyer-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Desiree include Desi, Dee, and Raye. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Desiree include Desire, Desirae, 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