Damian Name Meaning: Origin, Popularity & Nicknames

What Does Damian Mean?

Damian comes from the Ancient Greek name Damianos. In turn, Daiamnos is derived from “damazō,” which means “conquer,” “master,” or “overcome.” ⁽¹⁾

The selfless acts of Saint Damian and twin brother Saint Cosmas slightly softened the meaning of the name Damian. Rather than being considered a ruthless conqueror over other people, Damian was the master of their destiny and a person who cared for others.

What Is the Origin of the Name Damian?

Damian is a Greek name derived from the two Greek names Damianus and Damianos. The former was the original Latinization of the name Damianos, allowing the name to spread through Latin-speaking areas in Europe.

As the name’s popularity grew, Damian became a classic Christian European name after the veneration of Saint Damian. Saint Damian and his twin brother Saint Cosmas were Christian martyrs in the 3rd Century CE ⁽²⁾. Many people named their children in honor of them and their selfless acts.

How Popular Is the Name Damian?

Damian was popularized in English-speaking countries by Christian communities naming their children after the physician saint. The name has since become widespread and is no longer linked to any specific religion.

Damian first gained popularity in the United States in 1952, when it became the 939th most popular name for boys in the country. Since 1952, Damian has grown steadily popular.

The most popular year for the name Damian so far was 2013, when it broke the top 100 and ranked 98th.

In more recent years, the name Damian has remained popular, staying within the top 120 most popular names since 2017. In 2021, Damian was the 113th most popular name for boys in the United States ⁽³⁾.

How Do I Pronounce Damian?

Damian is pronounced, “DAY-mee-in.” The name rhymes with the words “alien” or “Canadian.”

Is Damian a Boy or Girl Name?

Damian has primarily been a masculine name throughout history.

Variations of Damian

As a name from antiquity, there have been several variations on the name Damian spanning multiple languages:

• Damiaan (Dutch)
• Damián (Czech)
• Damiano (Italian)
• Damianos (Ancient Greek)
• Damianus (Ancient Greek)
• Damião (Portuguese)
• Damien (French)
• Damijan (Slovene)
• Damjan (Croatian, Macedonian, Serbian)
• Damyan (Bulgarian)
• Demyan (Russian, Ukrainian)

Nicknames for Damian

Damian has a few catchy nicknames associated with it. These terms of endearment are typically formed from the first part of the name:

• Damon
• Dam
• Day
• Demi
• Ian

Similar Names to Damian

For those looking to Damian as inspiration, these similar names should spark your interest:

• Alexander
• Andrew
• Atlas
• Christopher
• Dante
• Darius
• Dominic
• Dorian
• George
• Julian
• Nicholas
• Peter
• Philip
• Sebastian
• Tobias
• Tristan

Middle Names for Damian

As a name originating in Ancient Greece, Damian works just as well with classic options as it does with unique ones:

• Alex
• Aurelius
• Cassius
• Cosmo
• Jonas
• Kieran
• Leander
• Leon
• Lucas
• Lucian
• Lysander
• Nico
• Ozias
• Petra
• Reeve
• Theo

Sibling Names for Damian

Names that share Damian’s Greek origin fit particularly well, such as these great choices:

• Aarya
• Alexis
• Andreas
• Basil
• Calais
• Callie
• Chris
• Dorothea
• Drew
• Lacey
• Nicolae
• Sasha
• Selene
• Stephan
• Stevie
• Thea

Famous People Named Damian

Damian has been around for centuries, and many notable people have had the name, from figures in antiquity to modern actors:

• Damian Higgins: American DJ well-known by the stage name DJ DieselBoy.
• Damian Lewis: English actor noted for his role in the HBO series “Band of Brothers.”
• Damian Lillard: American NBA basketball player.
• Damian Marley: Jamaican musical artist and son of Bob Marley.
• Damian McGinty: Irish actor and singer known for his role on the TV series “Glee” after winning the competition reality series “The Glee Project.”
• Damian O’Hare: Northern Irish actor who appeared in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie series.

Damian in Popular Culture

Despite being a classic name, Damian has not had many extensive appearances in popular culture. However, there have been a few prominent characters to bear the name, including:

• Damian Hayes: a character in the TV series “Degrassi: The Next Generation.”
• Damian Hart: a character from “Beyblade: Metal Fight.”
• Damian Wayne: son of Bruce Wayne in the DC Comics.

Damian FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding the name Damian.