Boy Name
Dempsey
Dempsey means “Proud, arrogant”. It is used as a boy's name across several naming traditions, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Dempsey is a boy baby name, meaning "Proud, arrogant". It currently sits in the Rare tier of US baby names for 2026, and parents who love Dempsey often also consider Denver.
Dempsey meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Proud, arrogant
Origin: Multiple naming traditions are associated with this name.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Dempsey as D·E·M·P·S·E·Y, with 7 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Dempsey is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Dempsey variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Dempseya, Dempseye, Dempseyy, Dempse.
- Nicknames: Demp and D.
- Middle names: Pair Dempsey with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Dempsey middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Denver, Donley, Danney, Donavon, Delaney — full picks on the sibling names for Dempsey guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Dempsey? Browse our names like Dempsey guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Dempsey
What does the name Dempsey mean?
Dempsey means "Proud, arrogant". The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Dempsey is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Dempsey?
The exact origin of Dempsey is debated, but it has been used across multiple naming traditions.
How do you pronounce Dempsey?
Dempsey has 7 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Dempsey a boy's or girl's name?
Dempsey is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Dempsey in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Dempsey sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Dempsey?
Names that share Dempsey's sound and style include Denver, Donley, Danney, Donavon, Delaney.
What middle names pair well with Dempsey?
Good middle-name fits for Dempsey pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Dempsey is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Dempsey is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Dempsey?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Dempsey share its rhythm without rhyming — Denver, Donley, Danney all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.