Is Desiree a boy's or girl's name?

Desiree is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 198 recorded births.

When was Desiree most popular?

Desiree reached its peak popularity in 1983 with 2,915 births that year. It is currently ranked #1130 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Desiree?

Desiree is currently ranked #1130 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 83,409 babies since 1910.

Desiree

An uncommon French pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysFrenchDeclining Also a pet name

#1130▲ 81in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name from French, alternative spelling of Désirée.

Desiree is a girl's and boy's baby name of French origin, the Anglicized form of Désirée, meaning 'desired' or 'longed for.' It was historically given to children born after a long wait — a name carrying genuine emotional weight.

Desiree gained strong traction in the United States through the 1970s and 1980s. It carries a romantic, almost cinematic quality, and Napoleon's first love Désirée Clary adds a compelling historical dimension to its French elegance.

Compare Desiree with another name

Popularity Over Time

Desiree was #234 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1130, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Desiree
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,101	#1117	▼
2010s	3,854	#779	▼
2000s	12,812	#277	▼
1990s	23,492	#139	▲
1980s	21,809	#134	▲
1970s	9,864	#275	▲
1960s	7,152	#350	▲
1950s	3,063	#947	▲
1940s	148	#2742	▲
1930s	42	#3683	▼
1920s	52	#3650	▲
1910s	20	#2679	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(100 years, 1910–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Desiree
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	213	#1130	+17 (8.7%)
2023	196	#1211	-31 (-13.7%)
2022	227	#1100	-4 (-1.7%)
2021	231	#1081	-3 (-1.3%)
2020	234	#1061	-8 (-3.3%)
2019	242	#1056	-14 (-5.5%)
2018	256	#1014	-17 (-6.2%)
2017	273	#965	-12 (-4.2%)
2016	285	#953	-64 (-18.3%)
2015	349	#806	-51 (-12.8%)
2014	400	#704	-53 (-11.7%)
2013	453	#618	-17 (-3.6%)
2012	470	#608	-15 (-3.1%)
2011	485	#594	-156 (-24.3%)
2010	641	#472	-74 (-10.3%)
2009	715	#441	-136 (-16.0%)
2008	851	#380	-171 (-16.7%)
2007	1,022	#327	-81 (-7.3%)
2006	1,103	#300	-58 (-5.0%)
2005	1,161	#286	-233 (-16.7%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Desiree as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Desiree has also been given to 198 boys in the U.S. since 1965.

Unranked

Current rank

198

Total births

1986

Peak year

Compare Desiree as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Desiree be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Desiree is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #1130. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Desiree has two lives

Desiree, the baby name

#1130girls

83,409 babies

Currently viewing

Desiree, the pet name

#9495pet name

6 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1910–2024) · Methodology