Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Damien
BoyFrench, Greek· “to tame”
- Meaning
- to tame
- Origin
- French, Greek
- Pronunciation
- DAY-mee-uhn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #352
- US babies 2025
- 935
- Best rank
- #161 (1978)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Damien
Damien is a French and Greek name that is usually said to mean “to tame”.
Damien is the French form of Damian, from the Greek Damianos, usually connected to damazo, meaning to tame or subdue. Saints Cosmas and Damian were early Christian physicians honored for treating the sick without charge. Saint Damien of Molokai, a Belgian priest, served people with leprosy in Hawaii in the nineteenth century. The name carries these associations of care and service. Damien feels strong and slightly mysterious, with a smooth French look. Related forms include Damian and the Italian Damiano.
Other spellings with the same sound: Damian.
Popularity over time
Damien first appears in US Social Security records in 1936. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 58 different years, starting in 1968. Its best national rank was #161 in 1978, and the most babies received it in 2007, when 2,265 were named Damien. In 2025, 935 babies were named Damien, and it ranked #352 nationally. That is 34% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,468 in 1950, #182 in 1980, #258 in 2000, #192 in 2010, and #352 in 2025. Of the 64,757 US boys named Damien since records began, 29% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 15,261 babies. Since 2010, 21,767 more have been named Damien.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Josue, Trenton, Jaiden, Erick, and Landen.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Damien ranked highest in Alaska, Hawaii, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | #148 | 6 |
| Hawaii | #156 | 7 |
| Arizona | #235 | 34 |
| Oregon | #237 | 18 |
| California | #240 | 155 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Damien is usually pronounced DAY-mee-uhn, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-en”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Damian.
Middle names for Damien
A few middle names that flow with Damien: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Damien
Similar names
Nicolas Boy
NIH-kuh-luhs
“victory of the people” · Greek
#177
Julien Boy
JOO-lee-uhn
“from Julius; meaning uncertain” · French
#709
Lucien Boy
LOO-see-uhn
“from Lucius; light” · French
#899
Nicholas Boy
NIH-kuh-luhs
“victory of the people” · Greek
#112
Alexis Unisex
uh-LEHK-sihs
“helper, defender” · Greek
#554
Steven Boy
STEE-vuhn
“crown, garland” · Greek
#271
Stephen Boy
STEE-vuhn
“crown, wreath” · Greek
#383
Esteban Boy
ehs-TEH-bahn
“crown, garland” · Spanish
#461
Matthias Boy
muh-THY-uhs
“gift of God” · Greek
#372
Lionel Boy
LY-uh-nul
“little lion” · French
#659
Valentin Boy
vah-lehn-TEEN
“strong, healthy” · Latin
#660
Thaddeus Boy
THAD-ee-uhs
Aramaic
#798
Lists that include Damien
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Damien mean?
Damien is a French and Greek name that is usually said to mean “to tame”.
What is the origin of the name Damien?
Damien has French and Greek roots. Damien is the French form of Damian, from the Greek Damianos, usually connected to damazo, meaning to tame or subdue.
Is Damien a popular name?
Yes. Damien ranked #352 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Damien a boy or girl name?
Damien is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Damien?
Damien 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