Deems

Derived from the Old English déma or démere, Deems may translate to "judge", as in, the occupational kind in a court of law. Other sources suggest it could equally come from Delamare, a Norman French name meaning "from the pond"; from Dymphna, an Irish name meaning "calf"; or from the Anglo-Saxon Deormann, meaning "dear-beloved man" or "fierce man".

Rare as a first name, it has never the less been given very occasionally and might just appeal to lovers of plural names like Banks, Hayes, and Reeves. Composer (Joseph) Deems Taylor who worked on Disney's Fantasia is one notable bearer.

Pronounced DEEMZ.

As of October 2026, Deems ranked #3949 for boys in US births in 1954 SSA, peaked at #3164 for boys in 1952.