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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Proud or arrogant (via an Irish surname/byname)
- Origin
- Irish (surname)
- Gender
- Neutral
- Pronunciation
- DEMP-see
Dempsey started out as an Irish surname, and today it's used as a given name for any gender, pronounced DEMP-see. As an Irish byname, it carried the meaning "proud" or "arrogant" — a blunt, no-frills sense that's part of its surname-name character. It sits among the broader group of surname names with roots outside the English-speaking naming tradition.
Meaning & Origin of Dempsey
Meaning: Proud or arrogant (via an irish surname/byname).
Origin: Irish (surname).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Dempsey
DEMP-seeIPA /ˈdɛmpsi/
Popularity of Dempsey
Dempsey hit its high point on the SSA list in 1880, ranking #579 with 11 babies given the name; by 2024 it had fallen to #2833, given to 45 babies.
Names Like Dempsey
Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.
FAQ
What does the name Dempsey mean?
Proud or arrogant (via an irish surname/byname). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Dempsey?
Dempsey is pronounced DEMP-see (IPA: /ˈdɛmpsi/).
Is Dempsey a popular name right now?
Dempsey peaked at #579 in 1880 and is ranked #2833 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
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