Home › Baby Names Directory › Dempsey

Dempsey

♀ Girl

Pronounced DEMP-see /ˈdɛmp.si/High

Meaning: From the Irish surname O'Diomasaigh, 'proud, haughty'; here for girlsMedium

In 30 seconds: Spirited and Irish: Dempsey is the surname 'proud, haughty' — bold, sporty, and cool (boxer Jack Dempsey). Sleek and unisex.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumIrish

MeaningFrom the Irish surname O'Diomasaigh, 'proud, haughty'; here for girls

U.S. rank (2025)#3479 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births44 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 550

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Dempsey comes from the Irish surname O'Diomasaigh, 'proud, haughty'. A bold, sporty surname-name (Jack Dempsey), here for girls.

It registers thinly for girls. Rare for girls, proud at the root, and spirited.

Did you know? Dempsey comes from the Irish O'Diomasaigh, 'proud, haughty' — boxer Jack Dempsey made the surname famous; a sleek, spirited unisex name.

Overall data confidence 68%

Surname references — Dempsey — etymology

Variations

DempsieDemsey

Nicknames

Demi

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Dempsey…

Delaney— a fellow Irish surname-name

Quinn— a companion unisex name

Kennedy— another Irish surname-name

Casey— lands in the same popularity range

Kacey— another unisex pick

Explore names like Dempsey

By themeunisex surname-name irish

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Dempsey mean?

Dempsey is Irish for 'proud, haughty'.

How do you pronounce Dempsey?

It's said DEMP-see /ˈdɛmp.si/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Dempsey a boy or girl name?

Dempsey is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Dempsey?

Dempsey is a rare name for girls in the U.S.