The first name Damian
A boy’s name from Greek meaning “to tame”.
Pronounced /ˈdeɪmɪən/ 3 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Greek origin
Damian means “to tame” in Greek.
From the Ancient Greek name Δαμιανός (Damianós) which was derived from δαμάω (damáō, “to tame”) (see δαμάζω (damázō)). Name known in Ancient Greece, later borne by Christian saints.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 161 boys were named Damian, making it the 279th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2023, with 186 births (#253).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Damian with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Damian at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 3,213 boys born in the United States were named Damian, the 109th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2013, when 3,976 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Damian in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Spelled Damian in Polish and Romanian too.
Famous people named Damian
49 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Damian LillardAmerican basketball player (born 1990)
- Damian LewisBritish actor, born 1971
- Damian WarnerCanadian decathlete, born 1989
- Damián SzifronArgentine film director, born 1975
- Damian GreenBritish Conservative politician, born 1956
- Damian HardungGerman actor, born 1998
- Damián Iguacén BorauCatholic bishop (1916-2020)
- Damián LanzaEcuadorian footballer, born 1982
- Cosmas Damian AsamGerman artist (1686-1739)
- Damian YoungAmerican actor, born 1961
- Damian ChapaAmerican actor and filmmaker, born 1963
- Damian JonesAmerican basketball player (born 1995)
More Greek boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Damian mean?
- Damian means “to tame” in Greek.
- What is the origin of the name Damian?
- From the Ancient Greek name Δαμιανός (Damianós) which was derived from δαμάω (damáō, “to tame”) (see δαμάζω (damázō)). Name known in Ancient Greece, later borne by Christian saints.
- How popular is the name Damian?
- In 2025, 161 boys born in England and Wales were named Damian, ranking 279th. Its peak was 2023, with 186 births.
- Is Damian a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 110,256 US babies named Damian since 1880 were boys.
- When was Damian most popular?
- 2013 in the United States, when 3,976 babies were named Damian, its highest rank at 98th.
- How do you pronounce Damian?
- Damian is /ˈdeɪmɪən/, 3 syllables.
- Is Damian also a surname?
- Yes. Damian is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.