Dempsey
Every Dempsey since 1880 — 4,799 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Dempsey
Dempsey is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,004 in 2025 with 41 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 4,799 American babies have been named Dempsey — about 89% boys and 11% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2014, when 124 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Dempsey stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Dempsey year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 44 | #3,479 | 41 | #3,004 |
| 2024 | 29 | #4,693 | 45 | #2,841 |
| 2023 | 34 | #4,214 | 59 | #2,348 |
| 2022 | 28 | #4,827 | 52 | #2,596 |
| 2021 | 29 | #4,649 | 70 | #2,082 |
| 2020 | 25 | #5,050 | 51 | #2,520 |
| 2019 | 30 | #4,574 | 62 | #2,238 |
| 2018 | 26 | #5,048 | 55 | #2,397 |
| 2017 | 21 | #5,885 | 66 | #2,097 |
| 2016 | 24 | #5,495 | 71 | #2,015 |
| 2015 | 37 | #4,012 | 72 | #2,003 |
| 2014 | 30 | #4,687 | 94 | #1,644 |
| 2013 | 37 | #4,025 | 77 | #1,854 |
| 2012 | 18 | #6,944 | 62 | #2,161 |
| 2011 | 25 | #5,418 | 68 | #2,007 |
| 2010 | 9 | #11,504 | 47 | #2,596 |
| 2009 | 16 | #7,781 | 28 | #3,747 |
| 2008 | 11 | #10,269 | 29 | #3,668 |
| 2007 | 9 | #11,890 | 28 | #3,713 |
| 2006 | — | — | 23 | #4,127 |
| 2005 | 5 | #17,179 | 17 | #4,874 |
| 2004 | — | — | 10 | #7,101 |
| 2003 | — | — | 18 | #4,470 |
| 2002 | — | — | 18 | #4,360 |
| 2001 | — | — | 9 | #7,058 |
| 2000 | 5 | #15,679 | 19 | #4,099 |
| 1995 | 5 | #14,011 | 15 | #4,102 |
| 1990 | — | — | 14 | #4,025 |
| 1985 | — | — | 8 | #4,807 |
| 1980 | — | — | 23 | #2,235 |
| 1975 | — | — | 16 | #2,557 |
| 1970 | — | — | 26 | #1,713 |
| 1965 | — | — | 23 | #1,634 |
| 1960 | — | — | 24 | #1,666 |
| 1955 | — | — | 39 | #1,202 |
| 1950 | — | — | 38 | #1,170 |
| 1945 | — | — | 35 | #1,105 |
| 1940 | — | — | 30 | #1,233 |
| 1935 | — | — | 35 | #1,104 |
| 1930 | — | — | 55 | #897 |
| 1925 | — | — | 59 | #874 |
| 1920 | 5 | #5,164 | 93 | #662 |
| 1915 | — | — | 32 | #1,145 |
| 1910 | — | — | 12 | #943 |
| 1905 | — | — | 5 | #1,280 |
| 1900 | — | — | 6 | #1,200 |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | 6 | #918 |
| 1885 | — | — | 6 | #858 |
| 1880 | — | — | 11 | #579 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Dempsey in 2025?
Dempsey ranked #3,004 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 41 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Dempsey?
4,799 babies have been named Dempsey in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Dempsey most popular?
Dempsey peaked in 2014, when 124 newborns received the name.
Is Dempsey a boy or girl name?
Dempsey is used for both: about 11% of babies named Dempsey have been girls and 89% boys.
Is the name Dempsey rising or falling?
Dempsey is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.