Diem is a given name of Vietnamese origin. It is derived from the Vietnamese word "diễm", which means "poetic". The name has been used by both men and women in Vietnam for centuries, but it became particularly popular during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), when many members of the royal family bore this name.
The history of the name Diem is intertwined with that of Vietnamese literature. Many poets and writers throughout the centuries have used "diễm" in their works, giving the name a literary association. The most famous historical figure with the name Diem is probably Ngo Dinh Diem, who was the first president of South Vietnam from 1955 until his assassination in 1963.
Today, Diem continues to be a popular name among Vietnamese families, both within Vietnam and in the Vietnamese diaspora around the world. It remains associated with poetic beauty and literary elegance, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam.
The name Diem experienced a peak in popularity between 2008 and 2014, with the highest number of births recorded in 2009 (8 births) and again in 2014 (8 births). After a slight dip, it saw another spike in 2018 with 9 births. However, the popularity has somewhat decreased since then, with fewer than 7 births each year from 2019 to 2022. In total, there have been 89 babies named Diem born between 2008 and 2022.