Desmond, of Latin origin, translates to 'from the south' or 'people from Munster'. It was popularized by the play 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde, where it was used as a pseudonym for one of the characters. The name has since been associated with the charming and witty character portrayed in the play.
The name Desmond had varying popularity over the years, with peaks in the late 1980s and mid-1990s, and a notable spike in 1997. However, it has since declined, with fewer than 6 births per year from 2000 onwards.