Meaning: Its source is Damianos, a Greek name meaning "Tamer."

In Spanish, this name is spelled with an accent -- Damián.

Languages: This boy's name is used in English, Spanish, Russian and Polish.

Alternative Spellings: Dameon and Damion

Variant Forms: Damon and Demian

Non-English Forms: Damiano, Damien and Damjan

Source Forms: Damianos

Popularity: The name Damian ranked 179th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 548th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Narrative: This name (usually in the form of Damon) is linked to that of Pythias in a story of devoted friendship.

Damon and Pythias were young men of ancient Syracuse. When Pythias was sentenced to death by the tyrant Dionysius the Younger, he begged to be allowed to go to a neighboring city to say farewell to his family. Dionysius agreed, on the condition that Pythias' friend Damon remain as a hostage, to be executed in Pythias' place if he did not return. Damon agreed without hesitation.

When Pythias returned to face his sentence, everyone but Damon was astonished. Dionysius was so moved by the loyalty of the two friends, he pardoned Pythias on the condition that they add him as a third.