Darby
Darby is a boy's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Deer park or settlement of deer; also associated with descendant of Diarmaid.
Origin and history
Darby originated as an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic O'Diarmada or from the English place name Derby, which stems from Old Norse meaning 'deer settlement'. Historically used for both boys and girls, it remains a uncommon but distinct choice in the United States. Today, it offers a vintage, surname-as-first-name feel.
Popularity in the United States
2,940 babies in the United States have been named Darby since 1880. It ranks #2385 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1831.
States where it is most popular
- CA (38.6 %)
- TX (13.5 %)
- MN (7.2 %)
- IN (6 %)
- NC (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 22 |
| 1920-1930 | 47 |
| 1930-1940 | 56 |
| 1940-1950 | 88 |
| 1950-1960 | 222 |
| 1960-1970 | 408 |
| 1970-1980 | 707 |
| 1980-1990 | 281 |
| 1990-2000 | 366 |
| 2000-2010 | 346 |
| 2010-2019 | 301 |
| 2020-2029 | 96 |
Fun facts
- The place name element derives from Old Norse 'dýr' (deer) and 'býr' (farmstead), while the Irish surname relates to the ancient given name Diarmaid.
- The name gained popularity in folklore through stories of Darby O'Gill, later popularized by Disney in 1959.