Darren
Darren is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Great, oak tree, or burnt hill; etymology is debated between Gaelic roots and modern Gaelic surname origins.
Origin and history
Darren is a masculine given name of likely Gaelic or Welsh origin, popularized in the 20th century. It saw significant peak popularity in the United States during the late 1960s and 1970s, partly influenced by pop culture. Today, it remains a familiar, classic choice although its usage has declined since its mid-century height.
Popularity in the United States
103,937 babies in the United States have been named Darren since 1880. It ranks #308 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #831.
States where it is most popular
- CA (13 %)
- NY (8.2 %)
- TX (5.7 %)
- IL (4.7 %)
- PA (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 13 |
| 1940-1950 | 52 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,048 |
| 1960-1970 | 35,038 |
| 1970-1980 | 22,574 |
| 1980-1990 | 15,698 |
| 1990-2000 | 12,519 |
| 2000-2010 | 8,920 |
| 2010-2019 | 5,490 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,585 |
Famous people named Darren
- Darren Criss: Actor, Singer
- Darren Aronofsky: Director, Screenwriter
- Darren Sproles: Athlete, American Football Player
Nicknames
Dare, Daz
Fun facts
- The name experienced a notable rise in U.S. usage during the 1960s, coinciding with the popular television show Bewitched featuring the character Darrin Stephens.
- While commonly linked to Irish Gaelic origins, some scholars suggest a connection to the Welsh word for 'oak tree' or an Anglicization of the surname Darren.