Desdemona is an uncommon yet captivating female given name of Latin origin, meaning 'ill-fated' or 'unfortunate'. It is derived from the tragic heroine of Shakespeare's play 'Othello', where Desdemona is Othello's wife who is falsely accused and ultimately killed by her husband. Despite its unfortunate literary origins, the name Desdemona has a distinct and elegant sound that sets it apart. Its rarity makes it an unusual yet intriguing choice for parents seeking to give their daughter a unique and memorable name.
Desdemona is a rare name with only 43 instances of babies named so between 1904 and 2017. Its usage has been sporadic over the years, with spikes in popularity occurring around the mid-20th century and again in the late 2010s.