Dempsey

Pronunciation: [ d-EHMPS-ee ]

Boy Name #2,845 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A fierce Irish surname turned first name with knockout charisma

Irish American English

Bold Vintage Strong Earthy Playful

Meaning & Origin

"proud descendant, son of the proud one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish

The Story of Dempsey

Dempsey is an anglicization of the Irish Gaelic surname O'Diomasaigh, meaning descendant of Diomasach, where Diomasach comes from the word diomus meaning proud or arrogant. As an Irish clan name, it originated in County Offaly and County Laois. Like many Irish surnames, it crossed the Atlantic with emigrating families and gradually transitioned into a first name.

Dempsey gained recognition as a given name partly through its association with boxing legend Jack Dempsey, who became one of America's most beloved sports heroes in the 1920s. More recently, actor Patrick Dempsey's role as Dr. Derek Shepherd in Grey's Anatomy sparked fresh interest, particularly as the female lead often referred to him as McDreamy.

In Irish-American culture, Dempsey carries the pride of the old country surname tradition. Jack Dempsey's story — a poor boy from Colorado who became world heavyweight champion — made Dempsey synonymous with American underdog triumph.

Fun Facts

Jack Dempsey held the world heavyweight boxing title from 1919 to 1926
The Manassa Mauler was Jack Dempsey's famous nickname
Patrick Dempsey's McDreamy character made Dempsey a popular baby name in the 2000s

Dempsey in Other Languages

Irish Ó Diomasaigh

French Dempsey

Spanish Dempsey

Famous People Named Dempsey

Patrick Dempsey

Actor

1966

American actor famous for playing Dr. Derek Shepherd (McDreamy) on Grey's Anatomy for 11 seasons

Jack Dempsey

Athlete

1895

World Heavyweight Boxing Champion from 1919-1926, one of the greatest fighters in boxing history

Derek Shepherd (McDreamy) Fictional

Other

Beloved fictional neurosurgeon in Grey's Anatomy, played by Patrick Dempsey, whose nickname McDreamy made the show a cul...

Beloved fictional neurosurgeon in Grey's Anatomy, played by Patrick Dempsey, whose nickname McDreamy made the show a cultural phenomenon

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,845
Total SSA Count: 45
Cultural Origins: Irish American English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Demp

Pairs Well With

Dempsey James Dempsey Patrick Dempsey Flynn Dempsey Sean Dempsey Cole Dempsey Reid

Sibling Names

Finnegan Callahan Brennan Clancy Tierney Rowan

Also a Girl Name

Dempsey is also used as a girl name, ranked #4708.

View Dempsey as a girl name →

Similar Names

Jessie Wesley Rodney Quincy Ramsey Kelsie Chelsea Keller

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dempsey

What does the name Dempsey mean?

"proud descendant, son of the proud one" (from Irish Gaelic). Dempsey is an anglicization of the Irish Gaelic surname O'Diomasaigh, meaning descendant of Diomasach, where Diomasach comes from the word diomus meaning proud or arrogant. As an Irish clan name, it originated in County Offaly and County Laois. Like many Irish surnames, it crossed the Atlantic with emigrating families and gradually transitioned into a first name.

What is the origin of the name Dempsey?

Dempsey has Irish Gaelic, Irish, American, and English origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "proud descendant, son of the proud one".

Is Dempsey a boy or girl name?

Dempsey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2845. As a girl name, it is ranked #4708. Dempsey is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Dempsey?

Dempsey is pronounced d-EHMPS-ee.

How popular is the name Dempsey?

Dempsey is currently ranked #2845 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Dempsey?

Common nicknames for Dempsey include Demp.

What are good middle names for Dempsey?

Popular middle name pairings include Dempsey James, Dempsey Patrick, Dempsey Flynn, Dempsey Sean, Dempsey Cole, and Dempsey Reid.

What are good sibling names for Dempsey?

Names that pair well with Dempsey as siblings include Finnegan, Callahan, Brennan, Clancy, Tierney, and Rowan.

How many syllables does Dempsey have?

Dempsey has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Dempsey a common or rare name?

Dempsey is an uncommon name, ranked #2845 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Dempsey

Dempsey is a boy name with Irish, American, and English origins . The name means "proud descendant, son of the proud one" in Irish Gaelic .

Is Dempsey a boy or girl name? Dempsey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,845 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #4,708. Dempsey is more commonly used as a boy name.

Dempsey is currently ranked #2,845 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Dempsey has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-EHMPS-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Dempsey include Demp. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.