How to say it
DA · mi · en
ˈdeɪ.mi.ən
Masculine
Damien
To tame, subdue
What it means
From the Greek Damianos, linked to damao, 'to tame' or 'to subdue.'
Damien comes from the Greek Damianos, tied to damao, 'to tame.' St. Damian, an early physician-saint, paired in legend with his twin Cosmas, made it a name of healing. The French spelling Damien took hold in English; the 1976 film The Omen, with its sinister child Damien, lent it a horror shadow that has since faded. Damian is the older spelling, Damon a cousin.
How to spell Damien
The standard spelling is Damien. Common variants include Damian, Damián, Damon, but Damien is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #161 in 1978, currently #352 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Damien and Damian are the same name; Damien is the French-influenced form.
- Worth knowing
The Omen attached a devilish association in the 1970s, mostly faded now.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- St. Damian early physician-saint, healer alongside his twin Cosmas
- Damien Hirst British contemporary artist
Spelling variants
- Damian
- Damián
- Damon
Names with the same feeling
Common questions
- What does the name Damien mean?
- From the Greek Damianos, linked to damao, 'to tame' or 'to subdue.'
- What does Damien mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Damien means "To tame, subdue." Damien comes from the Greek Damianos, tied to damao, 'to tame.' St. Damian, an early physician-saint, paired in legend with his twin Cosmas, made it a name of healing. The French spelling Damien took hold in English; the 1976 film The Omen, with its sinister child Damien, lent it a horror shadow that has since faded. Damian is the older spelling, Damon a cousin.
- How do you pronounce Damien?
- Damien is pronounced ˈdeɪ.mi.ən. Say it as DA-mi-en, with the stress on the "da" syllable.
- How do you spell Damien?
- The standard spelling is Damien. Common spelling variants include Damian, Damián, Damon.
- Is Damien a boy or girl name?
- Damien is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Damien?
- Damien ranked #352 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.