Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Desdemona

Desdemona is universally remembered as William Shakespeare’s “ill-fated” wife in his great tragedy “The Tragedy of Othello, A Moor in Venice” (c. 1602). The name comes from the Greek “dysdaimon” (δυσδαιμων) which means, appropriately, “ill-starred”. Parents looking for a unique name or appreciators of literary references are not easily discouraged by the name’s “unfortunate” meaning, mainly because Desdemona was a tragic victim, a noble heroine, and a likeable character. Shakespeare’s early 17th century play was inspired by an Italian narrative written 40 years prior to the publication of “Othello”. It’s the story of a Venetian beauty (Desdemona) who falls in love with and marries a Moorish (Northern African) general in the Venetian army, Othello, several years her senior, much to the chagrin of her father. The tragedy features one of the greatest villains of literature (Iago) who plants fraudulent evidence leading Othello to believe Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. In a jealous rage, Othello suffocates his innocent wife in the last act of the play. For more information on Desdemona in “Othello”, see literary references below. Shakespeare wasn’t the first person to use the name Desdemona; the earlier Italian author (Cinthio) introduced the name in the original tale: “A Moorish Captain” which Shakespeare also borrowed. Obviously Desdemona’s name is no accident given her ultimate fate in literary history.

All About the Baby Name – Desdemona

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME DESDEMONA

The number Eight personality has everything to do with power, wealth and abundance. Somehow, this personality has been blessed on the material plane, but their authoritative and problem-solving traits provide evidence that their good fortunes are not just the luck of the lottery. They are well earned. This is the personality of CEOs and high-ranking military personnel. Eights are intensely active, hard-driving individuals. Success is only meaningful to them after a job well-done.  They are remarkable in their ability to see the larger picture right down to the smallest details, and organize a strategy around success. They then have the ability to direct a group around them toward any goal, and realize individual potential to get the most out of their team.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME DESDEMONA

Desdemona has never once landed a position on the Top 1000 list of girl names in America. Never. At least not in the past 130+ years that the government has been tracking naming trends in the United States. This means Desdemona is rarely, if ever, used. It’s certainly not a name on everyone’s radar, but it has a lot going for it. Four syllables? Check. Pretty? Check. High-browed literary appeal? Check. Lovely meaning? Um, ok. No. But that’s part of Desdemona’s attraction and interest in our opinion. This is not a name for the overly-sentimental parent looking for a sweet and gushy etymology. Rather, it’s a name choice for parents who a.) love Shakespearean characters; and b.) value the complicated character of Desdemona specifically. Yes, Othello himself refers to his wife as an “ill-starred wench”, but it is she who rises above the bad behavior exhibited by everyone else in the play. She is the true heroine, even if a bit naïve. Parents in search of an unusual name, but one with substance, ought to consider Desdemona. It can always be shortened to Desi, Dee Dee or Mona.

Quick Facts

ON DESDEMONA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

4

RANKING POPULARITY:

N/A

PRONUNCIATION:

dez-dә-MON-ah

SIMPLE MEANING:

Ill-fated

Characteristics

OF DESDEMONA

Authoritative

Powerful

Tough

Tenacious

Wealthy

Problem-solver

Achiever

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Desdemona

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME DESDEMONA

Desdemona is the wife of the title character in William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello, written between 1601 and 1604. Desdemona is a beautiful young Venetian woman who defies her father and marries the man of her choice, the older, dark Moor, Othello. She is very much in love with him, and she is a loyal and faithful wife. When he is dispatched to Cyprus, Desdemona cannot stand to be separated from him, and happily accompanies Othello to his post, anticipating a great adventure. She is goodness and innocence personified, so she is a perfect foil for the evil and racist Iago, who uses her to wreak vengeance on Othello for his (imagined) slights to him. Iago essentially frames Desdemona, giving the impression that she has been unfaithful to her husband, and Othello falls for his game, with disastrous results. Placing his trust in the one person he should not, Othello believes Iago, and murders the one person who is blamelessly true to him, Desdemona. Even with her dying words, Desdemona deflects blame away from her beloved husband, in an effort to save him from incrimination. As surely as it is a great tragedy, Othello is also a magnificent treatise against the kind of blind devotion that leads to such perilous results.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME DESDEMONA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Desdemona


Popular Songs

ON DESDEMONA

Desdemona's Building a Rocket Ship
Jimmy Buffett

Desdemona
a song by John Jennings

Famous People

NAMED DESDEMONA

We cannot find any celebrities or significantly famous people with the first name Desdemona.

Children of Famous People

NAMED DESDEMONA

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Desdemona

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME DESDEMONA

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Desdemona