Dempsey

boyIrish

Dempsey is an boy name of Irish origin, meaning “Descendant of the proud one”.

MeaningDescendant of the proud one
GenderBoy
OriginIrish
PronunciationDEMP-see
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited States, Ireland, United Kingdom

Meaning and origin of Dempsey

Dempsey comes from the Irish surname Ó Díomasaigh, 'descendant of Díomasach', a personal name meaning 'proud'. The family was historically centred in the area of County Offaly and County Laois. It has gained some use as a first name in English-speaking countries, part of the wider fashion for Irish surnames such as Delaney and Casey. The boxer Jack Dempsey and the actor Patrick Dempsey made the surname widely familiar.

Is Dempsey a religious name?

Dempsey is a secular Irish surname used as a first name, without religious background.

How popular is Dempsey?

Rare as a first name; more familiar as a surname.

Gifts with the name Dempsey

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Spellings and variants of Dempsey

Dempsy

Names similar to Dempsey

CaseyDelaneyKinseyDarby

More boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Dempsey mean?

Dempsey means 'Descendant of the proud one'. It is of Irish origin.

Does Dempsey have a religious meaning?

Dempsey is a secular Irish surname used as a first name, without religious background.

How do you pronounce Dempsey?

Dempsey is pronounced DEMP-see.

Is Dempsey a boy or girl name?

Dempsey is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.