Damien
Damien is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
To tame, subdue, or master.
Origin and history
Damien is derived from the Greek name Damianos, which relates to the verb damazo meaning 'to tame' or 'subdue'. The name gained widespread usage in the Christian world due to Saint Damien, a 3rd-century physician and martyr. In the United States, it has been a consistently popular male name, maintaining a steady presence through the 20th and 21st centuries.
Popularity in the United States
64,757 babies in the United States have been named Damien since 1880. It ranks #428 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #311.
States where it is most popular
- CA (14.7 %)
- TX (9.2 %)
- NY (7 %)
- FL (4.9 %)
- IL (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 12 |
| 1940-1950 | 86 |
| 1950-1960 | 195 |
| 1960-1970 | 504 |
| 1970-1980 | 6,426 |
| 1980-1990 | 8,168 |
| 1990-2000 | 9,073 |
| 2000-2010 | 18,526 |
| 2010-2019 | 15,261 |
| 2020-2029 | 6,506 |
Famous people named Damien
- Damien Lewis: Actor, Producer
- Damien Chazelle: Director, Screenwriter
- Damien Rice: Singer-songwriter, Musician
Nicknames
Dame, Dami
Fun facts
- Saint Damien was a third-century Christian healthcare worker who, along with his twin brother Cosmas, practiced medicine without accepting payment.
- Though famously used in horror cinema, the name has maintained steady real-world popularity in the U.S. for decades.