US Popularity Rank: 797

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Of South Munster

It’s hard to hear the boy’s name Desmond without your mind thinking “Tutu,” as in the South African bishop, anti-apartheid activist, and Nobel Peace Prize winner. But whether you give the name to your little one in honor of the revered theologian or because you like its refined sound, it’s a timeless choice. One surprising fact about the name is its roots, which are Irish. It stems from South Munster in Ireland, where it initially emerged as a popular surname denoting someone from that region. Des, Dez, and Dessy are fun and youthful versions if you fancy a less formal-sounding nickname for baby!