Dainty D Names
- Demelza
Origin:
CornishMeaning:
"eel house or Maeldaf's fort"Description:
A punchy modern Cornish name derived from a place name, which is of disputed origin. It is sometimes said to derive from a rare Welsh name, Maeldaf, plus dinas, the Cornish for "fort". Another theory is that it comes from Cornish ty "house" plus malsai "eel" – likely a reference to Cornwall's fishing trade.
- Dixie
Origin:
Latin, FrenchMeaning:
"I have spoken; tenth"Description:
A sassy, spunky, punchy kind of name, Dixie can also be considered a place name, one that has become problematic because of its association with the antebellum South. The Dixie Chicks recently dropped Dixie from their band name because of its association with slavery and white privilege.
- Didier
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"desired, beloved"Description:
Didier is kind of a Desiree for boy--a lively, confident name that's widely used in France and has definite possibilities here. It's the name of an early French saint.
- Drake
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"dragon; or, male duck"Description:
A simple one-syllable name that has been on the popularity list since the mid-1980s, Drake is most associated today with the single-named rapper (born Aubrey). The name peaked at Number 197 in 2010 and has since been on a slow decline, but it still can be counted among the stylish contemporary boy names starting with D.
- Demetrius
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"follower of Demeter"Description:
Classical and Shakespearean name that may appeal if you like your names long, flowing and multicultural.
- Deirdre
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"sorrowful"Description:
Sadly, this strong Celtic name often has "of the sorrows" attached to it because of the tragic character in Irish legend. Also a bit drab when compared with newer Irish imports.
- Davis
Origin:
Surname derived from David, HebrewMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
Davis is a fresh way to say David. Some sources define it as "son of David," but we see it as a surname spin on the original. While David is an everyman name, Davis has some creative edge -- and still gets you to the classic guy nickname Dave.
- Dempsey
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"proud, haughty"Description:
Spunky Irish surname that still has a pugnacious feel from its lingering association with one of boxing's greatest champs, Jack Dempsey. Many people may associate it more with Patrick Dempsey these days—McDreamy from TV's Grey's Anatomy.
- Darragh
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"oak tree"Description:
Also Anglicized as Dara and also spelled Daire in its native form, Darragh has an undeniably rugged appeal. It's used for both girls and boys in Ireland, but it's very popular in particular for boys.
- Dodie
Origin:
English diminutive of DorothyMeaning:
"gift of god"Description:
Sweet old-fashioned nickname name that could make a comeback in the wake of Sadie, Edie et al. Famous bearers include author Dodie Smith, who wrote The Hundred and One Dalmatians and I Capture the Castle.
- Devereaux
Origin:
French surnameMeaning:
"from Evreux; riverbank"Description:
Devereaux is familiar to many English speakers as a surname but not as a first. It's a habitational name related to the town of Evreux in France, with the prefix de- denoting it likely referred to a noble of that area.
- Doran
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"stranger, exile"Description:
Strong but gentle Irish last-name-first. Could bring to mind long-running rock group Duran Duran.
- Dieter
Origin:
German, diminutive of DietrichDescription:
Dieter is a classic German name that got lots of satiric exposure via Mike Myers on "Saturday Night Live" a few years back. If mispronounced, it could conceivably be read as someone on a diet.
- Draven
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Inspired by Brandon Lee's character in The Crow and Cuba Gooding Jr.'s in In the Shadows, this name, with its Wiccan feel, was used by a member of Linkin Park. It has ranked in the US Top 1000 since 1995.
- Dan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is my judge"Description:
Often stands alone in Israel, but rarely here.
- Dimanche
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"Sunday"Description:
Pleasant-sounding word that could morph into a unique Sunday-picnic-type name.
- Dai
Origin:
Welsh; JapaneseMeaning:
"beloved; great"Description:
A cross-cultural name that can be a nickname for David, as is common in Wales, pronounced "dye".
- Donny
Description:
Donny is a masculine name most commonly used as a diminutive of Donald, which derives from the Scottish Gaelic name Dòmhnall, meaning "world ruler" or "world mighty." The name gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States, partly due to the fame of performers like Donny Osmond. Donny has a friendly, approachable quality that maintains the strength of Donald while adding a more casual, boyish charm. Though its usage as a formal given name has declined since its peak, it remains recognized as both a nickname and standalone name. Donny carries a nostalgic appeal for many, evoking the easy-going American culture of the 1960s and 1970s, while still functioning as a personable, unpretentious option for boys today.
- Dumas
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"of the little farm"Description:
The name of the great French novelist, author of the timeless The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers, would make a surprising middle name choice.
- D'artagnan
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"from Artagnan"Description:
The least usable of the Three Musketeers names.
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