The nameDamien
Damien is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "to tame". The name of a saint physician, it is used in France, Ireland and the United States.
- Boy's name
- Greek
- Feast day
Meaning
Damien comes from the Greek Damianos, linked to damazein, "to tame, to subdue".
Origin
Greek. Saints Cosmas and Damian were twin physicians who treated the sick for free in the 3rd century. Father Damien cared for lepers in Hawaii in the 19th century.
History
Damien became well known after the horror film The Omen (1976). It is in the American top 170.
Damien in other languages
Damien is the French form of Damian. It is Damiano in Italian, Damián in Spanish and Damião in Portuguese.
Did you know?
- Damien Chazelle became, at 32, the youngest winner of the Oscar for Best Director, for La La Land.
- Damien Hirst's best known work is a tiger shark preserved in formaldehyde, shown in 1992.
Famous people named Damien
- Saint Damien of Molokai
- Damien Hirst, artist
- Damien Rice, singer
- Damien Chazelle, film director
Popularity of the name Damien
Damien in the United States
Damien was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 18,566 births over the decade, 29% of all recorded babies named Damien. Its rise began around 1972, and it peaked in 2007. Half of all babies named Damien in the United States were born before 2004. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,112 births a year on average, against 1,338 in the five years before.
Damien in the United Kingdom
Damien was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 1,092 births over the decade, 43% of all recorded babies named Damien. Half of all babies named Damien in the United Kingdom were born before 2008, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 58 births a year.
Damien in Ireland
Damien in France
Damien in Belgium
Damien in Switzerland
Sibling names for Damien
Names from the same generation as Damien, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Damien? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Damien with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Damien side by side with the name of your choice.
Damien in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Damien mean?
Damien comes from the Greek Damianos, linked to damazein, "to tame, to subdue".
What is the origin of the name Damien?
Greek. Saints Cosmas and Damian were twin physicians who treated the sick for free in the 3rd century. Father Damien cared for lepers in Hawaii in the 19th century.
Is Damien a girl's or a boy's name?
Damien is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Damien?
In 2024, Damien was the 344th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 999 births.
What are good sibling names for Damien?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Melanie, Melina, Arianna and Chloe for a sister, Andre, Jayson, Angelo and Esteban for a brother.
Who are famous people named Damien?
Saint Damien of Molokai; Damien Hirst, artist; Damien Rice, singer; Damien Chazelle, film director.