Desmond is a given name and a surname, derived from the Irish place-name ''Desmond'', an

anglicization Anglicisation is the process by which a place or person becomes influenced by Culture of England, English culture or Culture of the United Kingdom, British culture, or a process of cultural and/or linguistic change in which something non-English ...

of the Irish ''Deas-Mhumhna'' ("South

Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following the ...

"). The Irish peerages of

Ormonde Ormonde is a surname occurring in Portugal (mainly Azores), Brazil, England, and United States. It may refer to: People * Ann Ormonde (born 1935), an Irish politician * James Ormond or Ormonde (c. 1418–1497), the illegitimate son of John Butl ...

, Desmond, and

Thomond Thomond (Classical Irish: ; Modern Irish: ), also known as the kingdom of Limerick, was a kingdom of Gaelic Ireland, associated geographically with present-day County Clare and County Limerick, as well as parts of County Tipperary around Nenag ...

represented the old sub-kingdoms of East, South, and North Munster, respectively.Isaac Taylor, ''Names and their histories, alphabetically arranged as a handbook of historical geography and topographical nomenclature'' (1896), p. 199. South Munster existed as an independent territory between 1118 and 1543. The title of

Earl of Desmond Earl of Desmond is a title in the peerage of Ireland () created four times. When the powerful Earl of Desmond took arms against Queen Elizabeth Tudor, around 1578, along with the King of Spain and the Pope, he was confiscated from his estates, s ...

(fourth creation) in the Peerage of Ireland originates in 1628; it is currently held by

Alexander Feilding, 12th Earl of Denbigh Alexander Feilding, 12th Earl of Denbigh, 11th Earl of Desmond (born 4 November 1970), styled Viscount Feilding until 1995, is an English and Irish peer and landowner. He was a member of the House of Lords from 1995 to 1999. Life Denbigh is the ...

(born 1970).

Notable people with the given name

*Desmond Amofah (1990–2019), American YouTuber better known as

Etika Desmond Daniel Amofah (May 12, 1990 – June 19, 2019), better known as Etika, was an American YouTuber and online streamer. He was best known for his highly energetic reactions to ''Super Smash Bros.'' character reveals and Nintendo Direct p ...

Desmond Arthur Lieutenant Desmond Arthur (1884–1913) was an Irish aviator in No. 2 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. Following his death in Scotland's first fatal aircraft accident; a government inquiry was launched to investigate the circumstances surrou ...

(1884–1913), Irish Lieutenant in the

No. 2 Squadron RAF Number 2 Squadron, also known as No. II (Army Co-operation) Squadron, is the most senior Squadron (aviation), squadron of the Royal Air Force. It is currently equipped with the Eurofighter Typhoon, Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 at RAF Lossiemouth, C ...

, known for being the Montrose Ghost *

Desmond Connell Desmond Connell (24 March 1926 – 21 February 2017) was an Irish cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. He was an Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland. Cardinal Connell was one of a number of senior clergy to have been heavily criticised ...

(1926–2017), Cardinal Archbishop of Dublin *

Desmond de Silva Desmond or Desmond's may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Desmond'' (novel), 1792 novel by Charlotte Turner Smith * ''Desmond's'', 1990s British television sitcom Ireland * Kingdom of Desmond, medieval Irish kingdom * Earl of Desmond, Irish a ...

, Sri Lankan musician *

Desmond Dekker Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 – 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Together with his backing group The Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had one of the earlie ...

(1941–2006), Jamaican singer * Desmond Devenish, English-American filmmaker *

Dez Dickerson Desmond D'andrea Dickerson (born August 7, 1955) is an American guitarist and singer who was a member of Prince's band, the Revolution. Life and career Dickerson was born in 1955 as Desmond D'andrea Dickerson, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A v ...

(born 1955), American guitarist and singer, former member of Prince's former band The Revolution * Desmond Digby (1933–2015), Australian set and costumer designer and illustrator *

Desmond Doss Desmond Thomas Doss (February 7, 1919 – March 23, 2006) was a United States Army corporal who served as a combat medic with an infantry company in World War II. He was twice awarded the Bronze Star Medal for actions on Guam and in the Phil ...

(1919–2006), first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor * Desmond Douglas (born 1955), Jamaican-born British table tennis player *

Desmond Elliot Desmond Elliot'' (born Desmond Oluwashola Elliot; 4 February 1974)'' is a Nigerian director, and politician He was elected as a lawmaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency, in the 11 April 2015 Nigerian General Election ...

(born 1974), Nigerian actor, director and politician *

Des Ferrow Desmond Joseph Ferrow (29 October 1933 – 5 December 2020) was a New Zealand cricketer. He played in four first-class matches for Northern Districts from 1956 to 1958. Ferrow was an off-spin bowler who took his best first-class figures of 4 f ...

(1933–2020), New Zealand cricketeer * Desmond Fitzgerald (disambiguation), various people *

Desmond Ford Desmond Ford (2 February 1929 – 11 March 2019) was an Australian theologian who studied evangelicalism. Within the Seventh-day Adventist Church he was a controversial figure. He was dismissed from ministry in the Adventist church in 1980, ...

(1929–2019), Christian speaker and theologian *

Desmond Green Desmond Green (born October 11, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight division for Ultimate Fighting Championship. Green is the current BYB Extreme Bare Knuckle Middleweight and Police Gazette Diamond Belt cha ...

(born 1989), American mixed martial artist *

Desmond Harrington Desmond Harrington (born October 19, 1976) is an American actor. He has appeared in '' The Hole'' (2001), ''Ghost Ship'' (2002), and '' Wrong Turn'' (2003), Desmond joined the cast of the Showtime series ''Dexter'' in its third season, as Det. ...

(born 1976), American actor * Desmond Harrison (American football) (born 1993), American football player *

Desmond Haynes Desmond Leo Haynes (born 15 February 1956) is a former Barbadian cricketer and cricket coach who played for the West Indies cricket team between 1978 and 1994. Haynes favoured a more measured approach to batting and scored 7,487 runs in 116 Te ...

(born 1956), West Indian international cricketer *

Des Headland Desmond Edmond Headland, Jr (born 21 January 1981) is an Australian rules footballer currently playing for Subiaco in the West Australian Football League, and a conservative political candidate. He plays as a half-forward flanker or midfielde ...

(born 1981), Australian Rules footballer *

Desmond Howard Desmond Kevin Howard (born May 15, 1970) is an American former football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He played college football at Michigan, where he won the Heisman Trophy as a senior. Howard w ...

(born 1970), former National Football League player and Heisman Trophy winner *

Desmond Jennings Desmond Delane Jennings (born October 30, 1986) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays. Early life Jennings was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the secon ...

(born 1986), American Major League Baseball player *

Des Kelly Desmond Kelly (born 19 February 1965) is a British journalist and broadcaster. Kelly is the Chief Reporter and interviewer for British broadcaster, BT Sport. He is part of the live broadcast team mainly for the channel's Champions League and P ...

(born 1965), British journalist * Desmond Kitchings, American football coach * Desmond King (American football) (born 1994), American football player * Des Lee (born 1946), Irish musician in

The Miami Showband The Miami Showband were an Irish showband in the 1960s and 1970s led firstly in 1962 by singer Jimmy Harte, followed by Dickie Rock and later by Fran O'Toole. They had seven number one records on the Irish singles chart. Band members Fran O'Tool ...

* Desmond Lewis (born 1946), Jamaican cricketer *

Desmond Llewelyn Desmond Wilkinson Llewelyn (; 12 September 1914GRO Register of Births: DEC 1914 11a 490 NEWPORT M. – Desmond W. Llewelyn, mmn = Wilkinson – 19 December 1999GRO Register of Deaths: JUN 2000 A70E 247 EASTBOURNE – Desmond Wilkinson Llewelyn, D ...

(1914–99), Welsh actor *

Des Lynam Desmond Michael Lynam, (born 17 September 1942) is an Irish-born television and radio presenter. In a broadcasting career spanning more than forty years, he has hosted television coverage of many of the world's major sporting events, presentin ...

(born 1942), British television presenter *

Des Lyttle Desmond Lyttle (born 24 September 1971) is an English former football player and manager. He started his career with Leicester City, but dropped into non-League football with Worcester City in 1991. A good season earned him a move to Welsh si ...

(born 1971), English footballer *

Desmond Mason Desmond Tremaine Mason (born October 11, 1977) is an American painter and former professional basketball player. He played as a shooting guard and small forward. Mason has also found success as an artist, working in a variety of media. Currently, ...

(born 1977), American basketball player *

Desmond McKenzie Desmond A. McKenzie, JP (born 1 December 1952) is a Jamaican politician and former mayor of the Kingston and Saint Andrew Corporation (KSAC), who held office between July 2003 and January 2012, when he was elected as the Member of Parliamen ...

(born 1952), Jamaican politician *

Desmond Morris Desmond John Morris FLS ''hon. caus.'' (born 24 January 1928) is an English zoologist, ethologist and surrealist painter, as well as a popular author in human sociobiology. He is known for his 1967 book ''The Naked Ape'', and for his televisi ...

(born 1928) English zoologist, ethologist, surrealist painter and author (''The Naked Ape'') *

Desmond Muirhead Gordon Desmond Muirhead (March 23, 1923 – May 2, 2002) was an English-born American golf course designer. Early life Desmond Muirhead was born on March 23, 1923 in Norwich, England. He graduated from the University of Cambridge, the University ...

(1923–2002), English-born American golf course designer * Desmond Mullen (born 1966), American producer, director, actor, and writer *

Desmond Norman Nigel Desmond Norman, (13 August 1929 – 13 November 2002) was an aircraft designer and aviation pioneer. Norman co-founded Britten-Norman in 1954, was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1970, and served as chairman a ...

(1929–2002), English aircraft designer and businessman * Desmond N'Ze (born 1989), Italian footballer playing in the Japanese league *

Des O'Connor Desmond Bernard O'Connor (12 January 1932 – 14 November 2020) was an English comedian, singer and television presenter. He was a long-time TV chat-show host, beginning with ''The Des O'Connor Show'' in 1963, which ran for ten years. He a ...

(1932–2020), British entertainer *

Desmond O'Malley Desmond Joseph O'Malley (2 February 1939 – 21 July 2021) was an Irish politician who served as Minister for Industry and Commerce from 1977 to 1981 and 1989 to 1992, Leader of the Progressive Democrats from 1985 to 1993, Minister for Trade, ...

(1939–2021), Irish politician, government minister and founder and leader of the Progressive Democrats *

Des O'Neil Sir Desmond Henry O'Neil (27 September 1920 – 25 September 1999) was an Australian politician who was a Liberal Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1959 to 1980. He was a minister in the governments of Sir Dav ...

(1920–1999), Australian politician * Desmond Rice (1924–2020), British Army officer *

Desmond Ridder Desmond Ridder (born August 31, 1999) is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Cincinnati, where he was twice-named AAC Offensive Player of the Year before be ...

(born 1999), American football player * Desmond Tan (disambiguation), various people *

Desmond Tutu Desmond Mpilo Tutu (7 October 193126 December 2021) was a South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. He was Bishop of Johannesburg from 1985 to 1986 and then Archbishop ...

(1931–2021), South African archbishop, civil rights activist and opponent of apartheid

Stage name

Desmond Child John Charles Barrett (born October 28, 1953), known professionally as Desmond Child, is an American songwriter and producer. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008. His hits as a songwriter include Kiss's "I Was Made for Lovi ...

, stage name of John Charles Barrett (born 1953), American songwriter

Notable people with the surname

* Casey Desmond (born 1986), American singer-songwriter *

Charles S. Desmond Charles Stewart Desmond (December 2, 1896 – February 9, 1987), was an American lawyer and politician from New York (state), New York. He was Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1960 to 1966. Life Desmond was born and died in Bu ...

(1896–1987), Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals *

Connie Desmond Cornelius "Connie" Desmond (January 31, 1908 – March 10, 1983) was an American sportscaster, most prominently for the Brooklyn Dodgers of Major League Baseball. Desmond began his career in 1932 as the voice of the minor league Toledo Mud Hens ...

(1908–1983), American sportscaster * Cornelius Desmond (1893–1974), Massachusetts state Representative *

Dan Desmond Daniel Desmond (3 October 1913 – 9 December 1964) was an Irish Labour Party politician and Teachta Dála (TD) for seventeen years. Early life Desmond was born on 3 October 1913 in Crosshaven, County Cork, the second child of two sons and fou ...

(1913–1964), Irish politician *

Eileen Desmond Eileen Christine Desmond (; 29 December 1932 – 6 January 2005) was an Irish Labour Party politician who served as Minister for Health and Minister for Social Welfare from 1981 to 1982. She served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1965 to 1969, 19 ...

(1932–2005), Irish politician *

Gerald Desmond Gerald Desmond ( – ) was a prominent Democratic politician and civic leader in Long Beach, California who served as a Long Beach City Councilmember and as Long Beach City Attorney. Desmond was born in Long Beach, California on April 12, 1915. H ...

(1915–1964), American civic leader and politician *

Humphrey J. Desmond Humphrey Joseph Desmond (September 14, 1858February 16, 1932) was an American lawyer, writer, newspaper editor, and politician. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly in the 1891 session, representing the part of the city of Milwaukee. ...

(1858–1932), Wisconsin state legislator, lawyer, writer, and newspaper editor *

Ian Desmond Ian Morgan Desmond (born September 20, 1985) is an American former professional baseball infielder and outfielder. He played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers and Colorado Rockies. Desmond is a ...

(born 1985), American Major League Baseball player * Mabel Desmond (1929), former Maine state Representative *

Matthew Desmond Matthew Desmond is a sociologist and the Maurice P. During Professor of Sociology at Princeton University, where he is also the principal investigator of the Eviction Lab. Desmond was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 2022. Educ ...

, American sociologist *

Meighan Desmond Meighan Desmond (born 7 October 1977) is a New Zealand actress, best known for her role as the Greek goddess Discord in the TV series ''Hercules: The Legendary Journeys'' and its two spin-offs – '' Xena: Warrior Princess'' and ''Young Herc ...

(born 1977), New Zealand actor * Michael J. Desmond, American lawyer *

Paul Desmond Paul Desmond (born Paul Emil Breitenfeld; November 25, 1924 – May 30, 1977) was an American jazz alto saxophone, alto saxophonist and composer, best known for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for composing that group's biggest hit, " ...

(1924–1977), American jazz saxophonist *

Richard Desmond Richard Clive Desmond (born 8 December 1951) is a British publisher, businessman and former pornographer. According to the 2021 ''Sunday Times Rich List'', Desmond was the 107th richest person in the United Kingdom. He is the founder of North ...

(born 1951), British publisher *

Robert Desmond Robert Desmond (16 December 1922 – 2002) was a British film and television actor of the 1950s and 1960s. He started out in juvenile roles, making his film debut in 1948's '' The Guinea Pig'' opposite Richard Attenborough. He appeared in a num ...

(1928–2002), English actor *

Thomas C. Desmond Thomas Charles Desmond (September 15, 1887 – October 6, 1972) was an American engineer and politician from New York (state), New York. Life He was born on September 15, 1887, in Middletown, Orange County, New York, Middletown, Orange County, Ne ...

(1887–1972), New York state senator *

Viola Desmond Viola Irene Desmond (July 6, 1914 – February 7, 1965) was a Canadian civil and women's rights activist and businesswoman of Black Nova Scotian descent. In 1946, she challenged racial segregation at a cinema in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia by refu ...

(1914–1965), Canadian beautician and civil rights advocate * Walter Desmond (1876–1951), American judge

Stage name A stage name is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. Such professional aliases are adopted for a wide variety of reasons and they may be similar, or nearly identical, to an individu ...

Johnny Desmond Johnny Desmond (born Giovanni Alfredo De Simone; November 14, 1919 – September 6, 1985) was an American singer who was popular in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Biography Early years Desmond was born Giovanni de Simone in Detroit, Michigan, ...

, stage name of Giovanni Alfredo De Simone (1919–1985), American singer active in the 1940s and 1950s *

Olga Desmond Olga Desmond (born Olga Antonie Sellin 2 November 1890, Allenstein, East Prussia ow Olsztyn, Poland– 2 August 1964, Berlin) was a German dancer, actress, art model and living statue. Biography Olga Antonie Sellin, born November 2, 1890, ...

, pseudonym taken by Olga Sellin (1891–1964), German dancer and actress who promoted nudity on the stage *

, stage name of jazz saxophonist Paul Emil Breitenfeld (1924–1977)

Fictional characters

Given Name

* Desmond Ambrose, lead character in the British sitcom ''

Desmond's ''Desmond's'' is a British television situation comedy broadcast by Channel 4 from 1989 to 1994. Conceived and co-written by Trix Worrell, and produced by Charlie Hanson and Humphrey Barclay, ''Desmond's'' stars Norman Beaton as barber Desmond ...

'' *

Des Barnes Des Barnes is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'', played by Philip Middlemiss. Storylines Des was deeply in love with Steph (Amelia Bullmore), but she did not seem to care as deeply for him, and eventual ...

, in the British soap opera ''Coronation Street'' * Desmond Belmont, the only playable in '' Castlevania: Order of Shadows'' * Des Clarke (''Neighbours''), in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' *

Desmond Hume Desmond David Hume is a fictional character on the ABC television series ''Lost'' portrayed by Henry Ian Cusick. Desmond's name is a tribute to David Hume, the famous empiricist philosopher. Desmond was not a passenger of Flight 815. He had been ...

in the television series ''

Lost Lost may refer to getting lost, or to: Geography *Lost, Aberdeenshire, a hamlet in Scotland * Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, or LOST, a hiking and cycling trail in Florida, US History *Abbreviation of lost work, any work which is known to have bee ...

'' (2004) * Desmond Jones, one of the central characters of the Beatles song ''

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1968 double album ''The Beatles'' (also known as "the White Album"). It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. Following th ...

'' * Desmond Larochette in the movie '' The List'' *

Desmond Miles Desmond Miles is a fictional character from Ubisoft's ''Assassin's Creed'' video game franchise. Introduced as the protagonist of the modern-day sections of the first game in the series, he has maintained this role for the next four installment ...

in the ''

Assassin's Creed ''Assassin's Creed'' is an open-world, action-adventure, and stealth game franchise published by Ubisoft and developed mainly by its studio Ubisoft Montreal using the game engine Anvil and its more advanced derivatives. Created by Patrice D ...

'' series of video games (2007) * Desmond Sycamore, one of the main characters in the video game ''

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy ''Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy'' is a puzzle game developed by Level-5 for the Nintendo 3DS. It is the sixth entry in the ''Professor Layton'' series, making up the third and final part of the prequel trilogy of games and according to L ...

'' *

Des Tiny The book series ''The Saga of Darren Shan'' features humans, vampires and fantasy characters of other types. Overview * A dark grey cell indicates that the character was not in the property or that the character's presence in the property h ...

in the book series ''

The Saga of Darren Shan ''The Saga of Darren Shan'' (known as ''Cirque Du Freak: The Saga of Darren Shan'' in the United States) is a young adult 12-part book series written by Darren O'Shaughnessy about the struggle of Darren Shan, a boy who has become involved in ...

'' (2006)

Surname

* Damian Desmond, a character from anime/manga series ''

Spy x Family Espionage, spying, or intelligence gathering is the act of obtaining secret or confidential information (intelligence) from non-disclosed sources or divulging of the same without the permission of the holder of the information for a tangibl ...

'' * Francine Desmond in the 1980s American TV show ''

Scarecrow and Mrs. King ''Scarecrow and Mrs. King'' is an American television series that aired from October 3, 1983, to September 10, 1987, on CBS. The show starred Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner, as divorced housewife Amanda King and top-level "Agency" operative ...

'' * Norma Desmond, central character in the 1950 film ''

Sunset Boulevard Sunset Boulevard is a boulevard in the central and western part of Los Angeles, California, that stretches from the Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades east to Figueroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles. It is a major thoroughfare in t ...

References

{{given name, type=both Masculine given names Irish masculine given names English masculine given names