The name Desiree is of French origin and means "desired" or "longed for". It was derived from the French word "désir", which translates to desire. The name has been popular throughout history, with notable figures such as Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, who had the given name Rose but was commonly known by her pet name Desiree.
The name Desiree has also been used in literature and art. It is the title character in "La Dame aux Camélias", a novel by Alexandre Dumas fils, which was later adapted into the opera "La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi. Additionally, Desiree Artôt, a famous Belgian operatic mezzo-soprano, was known professionally simply as Desiree.
In recent years, Desiree has seen a resurgence in popularity, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States and Australia. While it may not be as common as some other names, it remains a distinctive choice with a rich history and meaningful signification. It is often associated with elegance, sophistication, and passion, reflecting its origins and usage throughout history.
The name Desiree experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century. Initially appearing sparingly from 1910 to 1945 with fewer than 12 births per year, it began to gain traction in the late 1940s and early 1950s, reaching a peak of 837 births in 1976. This trend continued into the 1980s, with Desiree becoming one of the top five most popular girls' names each year between 1982 and 1990, even topping the list with 2915 births in 1983.
However, popularity started to decline from the mid-1990s onwards. By the late 2000s, Desiree was no longer among the top 1000 names, and this trend has continued into the current decade. The most recent data shows that only 196 girls were named Desiree in 2023, indicating a steep drop from its peak popularity nearly four decades ago.
Overall, while Desiree enjoyed considerable popularity as a girl's name for several decades, it appears to have fallen out of favor in recent years.