Damian
Say it: DAY-mee-an/ˈdeɪmɪən/
BoyMeans usually linked with a Greek word meaning "to tame"6 letters3 syllables
#223
in Ireland (2025)
#220 with spellings combined
21
babies in 2025
#46
best rank (1969)
3,444
babies since 1964
Up 54
10-year rank change
Damian through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 21 | #220 |
| 2024 | 20 | #220 |
| 2023 | 19 | #230 |
| 2022 | 17 | #266 |
| 2021 | 27 | #193 |
| 2020 | 23 | #208 |
| 2019 | 19 | #241 |
| 2018 | 19 | #254 |
| 2017 | 19 | #257 |
| 2016 | 23 | #229 |
| 2015 | 17 | #274 |
| 2014 | 23 | #237 |
| 2013 | 12 | #338 |
| 2012 | 22 | #243 |
| 2011 | 21 | #245 |
| 2010 | 16 | #284 |
| 2009 | 29 | #201 |
| 2008 | 20 | #244 |
| 2007 | 6 | #435 |
| 2006 | 10 | #296 |
| 2005 | 8 | #302 |
| 2004 | 5 | #391 |
| 2003 | 9 | #275 |
| 2002 | 10 | #235 |
| 2001 | 4 | #347 |
| 2000 | 3 | #390 |
| 1999 | 10 | #203 |
| 1998 | 4 | #324 |
| 1997 | 14 | #196 |
| 1996 | 17 | #176 |
| 1995 | 23 | #147 |
| 1994 | 23 | #145 |
| 1993 | 31 | #127 |
| 1992 | 33 | #133 |
| 1991 | 39 | #119 |
| 1990 | 36 | #120 |
| 1989 | 43 | #108 |
| 1988 | 42 | #111 |
| 1987 | 48 | #103 |
| 1986 | 70 | #86 |
| 1985 | 75 | #85 |
| 1984 | 84 | #77 |
| 1983 | 84 | #79 |
| 1982 | 100 | #78 |
| 1981 | 133 | #68 |
| 1980 | 136 | #66 |
| 1979 | 117 | #72 |
| 1978 | 136 | #64 |
| 1977 | 146 | #63 |
| 1976 | 153 | #59 |
| 1975 | 157 | #57 |
| 1974 | 154 | #59 |
| 1973 | 168 | #57 |
| 1972 | 126 | #64 |
| 1971 | 130 | #60 |
| 1970 | 126 | #57 |
| 1969 | 139 | #46 |
| 1968 | 93 | #65 |
| 1967 | 116 | #52 |
| 1966 | 74 | #68 |
| 1965 | 86 | #61 |
| 1964 | 56 | #73 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Damian mean?
Usually linked with a Greek word meaning "to tame"
Greek, from Damianos, usually linked with damaō (to tame, to master).
Say it right
DAYmeean
The story of Damian
Damian comes from the Greek name Damianos, which is usually linked with a verb meaning to tame, master or overcome. The name was known in ancient Greece and was later carried by Christian saints. The best known are Cosmas and Damian, brothers remembered as doctors who treated the sick without taking payment, and who died as martyrs in the early Church.
The same name gives Damien in French and Damián in Spanish, and in Ireland both Damian and Damien have long been used. The CSO counts them separately, and Damien has usually been the more common spelling.
Damian was already in use when the CSO records begin. It reached number 46 in 1969, its best rank, and peaked in 1973, with 168 babies. It then became much rarer, falling to just 3 boys in 2000. Since then it has made a small comeback, and in 2025 it was number 220 once spellings are combined, with 21 babies.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Damian (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Damian (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Damian | 21 | 3,444 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #160 (1997); 98 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.