Damian

BoyGreek· “to tame”

Meaning
to tame
Origin
Greek
Pronunciation
DAY-mee-uhn
Syllables
3
US rank 2025
#109
US babies 2025
3,213
Best rank
#98 (2013)
Peak year
2013

Meaning and origin of Damian

Damian is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “to tame”.

Damian comes from the Greek Damianos, usually linked to the verb damazein, "to tame" or "to subdue". The name owes its spread to Saint Damian, who with his twin brother Cosmas was an early Christian physician martyr; the pair are patron saints of doctors and pharmacists. Saint Peter Damian, an eleventh-century reformer and Doctor of the Church, is another notable bearer. Damian is used across Europe in forms such as Damián in Spanish and Damiano in Italian. In English it has a smooth, sophisticated sound with a hint of mystery, and it remains a steady, grown-up choice that ages well.

Other spellings with the same sound: Damien.

Popularity over time

01.2k2.5k3.8k5k192019401960198020002020Peak 2013: 3,976
US babies named Damian per year, 1880 to 2025

Damian first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 74 different years, starting in 1952. Its best national rank was #98 in 2013, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,976 babies. In 2025, 3,213 babies were named Damian, and it ranked #109 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.

Its national rank moved from #3,272 in 1920, #1,188 in 1950, #326 in 1980, #205 in 2000, #121 in 2010, and #109 in 2025. Of the 109,920 US boys named Damian since records began, 32% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 26,034 babies.

Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Camden, Maxwell, Jase, Braxton, and Brantley.

Where it is most popular (2025)

In 2025, Damian ranked highest in California, Nevada, and Texas.

StateRank thereBabies
California#39765
Nevada#4154
Texas#50646
Arizona#70105
Oregon#7548

Gender, sound and spelling

In the US it is used almost only for boys.

Damian is usually pronounced DAY-mee-uhn, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Damien.

Middle names for Damian

A few middle names that flow with Damian: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
James Boy
JAYMZ
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · English
#6
John Boy
JAHN
“Yahweh is gracious” · Hebrew
#23
Leo Boy
LEE-oh
“lion” · Latin
#19
Kai Boy
KY
“sea (Hawaiian)” · Hawaiian
#93

Sibling names for Damian

Similar names

Esteban Boy
ehs-TEH-bahn
“crown, garland” · Spanish
#461
Sebastian Boy
suh-BAS-chuhn
“from Sebaste; venerable” · Latin
#16
Fabian Boy
FAY-bee-uhn
“from the Roman family name Fabius” · Latin
#468
Dorian Boy
DAWR-ee-uhn
“from the Dorian people of Greece” · Greek
#539
Julian Boy
JOO-lee-uhn
“belonging to Julius” · Latin
#25
Nicholas Boy
NIH-kuh-luhs
“victory of the people” · Greek
#112
Alexis Unisex
uh-LEHK-sihs
“helper, defender” · Greek
#554
Nicolas Boy
NIH-kuh-luhs
“victory of the people” · Greek
#177
Matthias Boy
muh-THY-uhs
“gift of God” · Greek
#372
Stefan Boy
STEH-fahn
“crown, wreath” · Greek
#1,023
Theodore Boy
THEE-uh-dor
“gift of God” · Greek
#4

Lists that include Damian

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Damian mean?

Damian is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “to tame”.

What is the origin of the name Damian?

Damian has Greek roots. Damian comes from the Greek Damianos, usually linked to the verb damazein, "to tame" or "to subdue".

Is Damian a popular name?

Yes. Damian ranked #109 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.

Is Damian a boy or girl name?

Damian is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.

How do you pronounce Damian?

Damian is usually pronounced DAY-mee-uhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.

Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings