Desi
Every Desi since 1948 — 3,395 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Desi
Desi is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,578 in 2025 with 22 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1948, 3,395 American babies have been named Desi — about 69% boys and 31% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1970, when 80 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
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 Desi stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Desi 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 | 35 | #4,096 | 22 | #4,578 |
| 2024 | 37 | #3,986 | 38 | #3,175 |
| 2023 | 31 | #4,485 | 31 | #3,643 |
| 2022 | 42 | #3,663 | 31 | #3,635 |
| 2021 | 34 | #4,184 | 22 | #4,527 |
| 2020 | 33 | #4,192 | 31 | #3,510 |
| 2019 | 28 | #4,804 | 24 | #4,256 |
| 2018 | 35 | #4,094 | 13 | #6,434 |
| 2017 | 20 | #6,108 | 23 | #4,359 |
| 2016 | 24 | #5,497 | 21 | #4,658 |
| 2015 | 19 | #6,526 | 15 | #5,803 |
| 2014 | 20 | #6,260 | 17 | #5,304 |
| 2013 | 18 | #6,810 | 19 | #4,848 |
| 2012 | 16 | #7,550 | 26 | #3,925 |
| 2011 | 17 | #7,203 | 30 | #3,534 |
| 2010 | 22 | #6,024 | 27 | #3,837 |
| 2009 | 14 | #8,565 | 32 | #3,419 |
| 2008 | 13 | #9,103 | 19 | #4,943 |
| 2007 | 6 | #16,031 | 23 | #4,270 |
| 2006 | 23 | #5,773 | 19 | #4,729 |
| 2005 | 11 | #9,622 | 12 | #6,323 |
| 2004 | 10 | #10,112 | 23 | #3,899 |
| 2003 | 5 | #16,442 | 30 | #3,136 |
| 2002 | 5 | #16,125 | 28 | #3,205 |
| 2001 | 7 | #12,408 | 22 | #3,746 |
| 2000 | 10 | #9,345 | 33 | #2,754 |
| 1995 | 11 | #7,654 | 14 | #4,337 |
| 1990 | — | — | 29 | #2,384 |
| 1985 | 9 | #7,111 | 23 | #2,310 |
| 1980 | 10 | #6,414 | 51 | #1,317 |
| 1975 | 11 | #5,233 | 45 | #1,285 |
| 1970 | 12 | #4,561 | 68 | #984 |
| 1965 | 22 | #2,618 | 17 | #1,941 |
| 1960 | 19 | #2,835 | 38 | #1,276 |
| 1955 | 24 | #2,230 | 34 | #1,297 |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Desi
- Desi Arnaz Actor · 1917–1986
- Desi Slava Singer · b. 1979
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Desi in 2025?
Desi ranked #4,578 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 22 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Desi?
3,395 babies have been named Desi in the United States since 1948, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Desi most popular?
Desi peaked in 1970, when 80 newborns received the name.
Is Desi a boy or girl name?
Desi is used for both: about 31% of babies named Desi have been girls and 69% boys.
Is the name Desi rising or falling?
Desi is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Desi?
Well-known people named Desi include Desi Arnaz (actor), Desi Slava (singer).