Dessa: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	99	10	–	#500
1890s	98	10	-1%	#797
1900s	79	8	-19%	#947
1910s	152	15	+92%	#1,081
1920s	156	16	+3%	#1,848
1930s	111	11	-29%	#1,603
1940s	94	9	-15%	#2,434
1950s	125	13	+33%	#2,515
1960s	119	12	-5%	#3,598
1970s	118	12	-1%	#3,812
1980s	132	13	+12%	#3,982
1990s	101	10	-23%	#5,270
2000s	183	18	+81%	#4,044
2010s	175	18	-4%	#5,659
2020s (to 2025)	75	13	-29%	#5,918

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#500

1890s

-1%

#797

1900s

-19%

#947

1910s

152

+92%

#1,081

1920s

156

+3%

#1,848

1930s

111

-29%

#1,603

1940s

-15%

#2,434

1950s

125

+33%

#2,515

1960s

119

-5%

#3,598

1970s

118

-1%

#3,812

1980s

132

+12%

#3,982

1990s

101

-23%

#5,270

2000s

183

+81%

#4,044

2010s

175

-4%

#5,659

2020s (to 2025)

-29%

#5,918

The story of Dessa

Dessa is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #6,910 in 2025 with 16 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 1,817 American babies have been named Dessa. Its peak came in 2001, when 31 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2000s.

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 Dessa stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Dessa?

The median living Dessa is about 36 years old; half are between 17 and 59. An estimated 1,100 people named Dessa are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Dessa year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	16	#6,910
2024	15	#7,334
2023	8	#11,462
2022	11	#9,212
2021	5	#15,858
2020	20	#5,918
2019	22	#5,659
2018	14	#7,877
2017	18	#6,607
2016	19	#6,485
2015	20	#6,293
2014	15	#7,770
2013	19	#6,541
2012	19	#6,671
2011	17	#7,204
2010	12	#9,385
2009	12	#9,546
2008	17	#7,500
2007	24	#5,763
2006	16	#7,581
2005	21	#5,875
2004	14	#7,950
2003	17	#6,676
2002	13	#7,951
2001	31	#4,044
2000	18	#6,013
1995	7	#10,818
1990	17	#5,353
1985	11	#6,138
1980	17	#4,373
1975	12	#4,926
1970	14	#4,091
1965	12	#3,792
1960	12	#3,742
1955	11	#3,629
1950	12	#3,102
1945	9	#3,197
1940	7	#3,587
1935	9	#2,980
1930	9	#3,118
1925	14	#2,519
1920	16	#2,299
1915	18	#1,819
1910	17	#1,081
1905	–	–
1900	16	#947
1895	11	#1,001
1890	–	–
1885	9	#755
1880	12	#500

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Dessa, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Dessa?

The median living Dessa is about 36 years old. Half of all living Dessas are between 17 and 59 years old.

How many people named Dessa are alive today?

An estimated 1,100 people named Dessa are alive in the United States, based on 1,817 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Dessa in 2025?

Dessa ranked #6,910 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 16 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Dessa?

1,817 babies have been named Dessa in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Dessa most popular?

Dessa peaked in 2001, when 31 newborns received the name.

Is Dessa a boy or girl name?

Dessa is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Dessa rising or falling?

Dessa is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Dessa

Dessa popularity over time

The story of Dessa

How old are people named Dessa?

Dessa year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Dessa