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Desiree

♀ Girl

Pronounced dez-ih-RAY /ˌdɛz.ɪˈreɪ/High

Meaning: Desired, longed for; from French désirée (desired, wished for), from Latin desiderare (to desire, to long for)High

In 30 seconds: A French name meaning 'desired' or 'longed for,' from Latin desiderare (to desire). The name carries the idea of a beloved, longed-for child — one of the most emotionally resonant meanings in the naming catalog.

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Origin HighFrench, Latin

MeaningDesired, longed for; from French désirée (desired, wished for), from Latin desiderare (to desire, to long for)

U.S. rank (2025)#1429 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births151 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1983

Total births (all-time)≈ 83,560

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

Desiree is the anglicized form of French Désirée, the feminine past participle of désirer (to desire), from Latin desiderare. It was used as a given name in France and has been adopted in English with various spellings.

Desiree entered U.S. charts from the mid-20th century and peaked in the 1970s–1980s. It ranked #1130 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Desirée was the title of a 1954 film starring Marlon Brando as Napoleon — based on the historical Désirée Clary (1777–1860), Napoleon's first love, who later became Queen of Sweden and Norway.

Overall data confidence 96%

Behind the Name — Desiree — French/Latin etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

DésiréeDesiraeDesireé

Nicknames

DesDesiDez

Famous Bearers

★Désirée Clary (1777–1860)
French-born Queen of Sweden and Norway as wife of Marshal Bernadotte (later King Carl XIV Johan). Napoleon's first love before he married Joséphine.

If you like Desiree…

Renee— French feminine name from the same mid-century Francophone wave

Monique— French feminine name popular in the same era

Celeste— French/Latin feminine name with the same romantic elegance

Claire— French feminine name with the same Gallic simplicity

Joelle— French -elle feminine name from the same community

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By themelatin french three-syllable romantic beloved

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Desiree mean?

Desiree means 'desired' or 'longed for,' from French désirée and Latin desiderare (to desire). The name implies a deeply wished-for child.

How do you pronounce Desiree?

It's said dez-ih-RAY — three syllables, stress on the third.

Is Desiree a boy or girl name?

Desiree is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Desiree?

Desiree ranked #1130 for U.S. girls in 2024.