"proud descendant, son of the proud one"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Dempsey
Pronunciation: [ d-EHMPS-ee ]
Does Dempsey flow with your last name?
A fierce Irish surname turned first name with knockout charisma
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English
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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.
Historical Record
Dempsey first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,238 babies have been named Dempsey in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dempsey is past its peak , currently ranked #2,845 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#2,845
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1951
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dempsey
P
Patrick Dempsey
Actor
1966
American actor famous for playing Dr. Derek Shepherd (McDreamy) on Grey's Anatomy for 11 seasons
J
Jack Dempsey
Athlete
1895
World Heavyweight Boxing Champion from 1919-1926, one of the greatest fighters in boxing history
D
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
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Compare Dempsey with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dempsey
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Dempsey is also used as a girl name, ranked #4708.
View Dempsey as a girl name →Similar Names
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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.
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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