Damien
Damien is a boy name of Greek origin meaning “To tame, to subdue”, pronounced DAY-mee-en. It ranked #352 in the United States in 2025, given to 935 babies, and peaked at #161 in 1978. Common nicknames: Dame, Dami.
How popular is Damien in the United States?
Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
What does Damien mean, and where does it come from?
Damien is an alternate spelling of Damian, derived from the Greek "damazein," meaning "to tame" or "to subdue." It shares its saintly origin with Saint Damian, one of the twin physician-martyrs Cosmas and Damian, patron saints of medicine. This spelling gained particular attention in the mid-20th century through Father Damien, the Belgian priest celebrated for his selfless care of leprosy patients in Hawaii, and later through the 1976 film "The Omen."
How is Damien used around the world?
Damien is used in 3 languages worldwide, with 7+ international variants.
TypeMale given name
Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.
What are the nicknames for Damien?
Famous People Named Damien
- Father Damien — Belgian priest and missionary to leprosy patients in Hawaii
- Damien Rice — Irish singer-songwriter
- Damien Chazelle — American filmmaker
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Sibling Name Ideas for Damien
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Damien mean?
Damien is a boy name of Greek origin meaning "To tame, to subdue." Damien is an alternate spelling of Damian, derived from the Greek "damazein," meaning "to tame" or "to subdue." It shares its saintly origin with Saint Damian, one of the twin physician-martyrs Cosmas and Damian, patron saints of medicine.
How do you pronounce Damien?
Damien is pronounced DAY-mee-en. Common variations include Damian, Damion, Damyan.
Is Damien a boy name?
Yes, Damien is traditionally a boy name. Popular nicknames include Dame, Dami.