Darby
- Meaning
- Deer settlement
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What does Darby mean?
Darby means “Deer settlement”.
Darby has an English surname route connected with the place-name Derby. Its older elements come from Norse words for an animal or deer and a settlement, giving the conventional meaning “deer settlement.” A separate Irish use treats Darby as an English form of Diarmaid, so a family’s intended connection may be geographical or personal rather than the same in every case.
Both strands have cultural references. Darby O’Gill connects the name with Irish storytelling, while Darby Shaw in The Pelican Brief is a more modern fictional bearer. Used for boys and girls, Darby can preserve a family surname or carry a literary association. Parents who want the English place-name history can keep the deer-settlement meaning, while an Irish tribute benefits from explaining the connection with Diarmaid.
Nicknames & variations
Explore short forms, spellings, and related names.
Variations & related forms
Related forms and spellings recorded for this name.
How popular is Darby?
United States · 2025Explore how often Darby is used and how its ranking has changed.
- US girls rank
- #2,564 2025 · #1 is most popular
- Girls named Darby
- 68 Recorded births in 2025
- Change in births
- 33.3% More than 2024
Darby over time
United States · Girls
Recorded births
Hover or tap the chart, or move the slider. You can also use the keyboard arrow keys.
Yearly data & usage
Rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys. The summary highlights girls, the most common recorded usage in 2025. Use the chart’s usage selector to explore both categories.
| Year | Usage | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | #6,540 | 13 |
| 2025 | Girls | #2,564 | 68 |
| 2024 | Boys | #7,892 | 10 |
| 2024 | Girls | #3,131 | 51 |
| 2023 | Boys | #4,916 | 20 |
| 2023 | Girls | #2,425 | 74 |
| 2022 | Boys | #6,571 | 13 |
| 2022 | Girls | #2,584 | 68 |
| 2021 | Boys | #4,521 | 22 |
| 2021 | Girls | #2,029 | 95 |
| 2020 | Boys | #5,077 | 18 |
| 2020 | Girls | #2,200 | 82 |
| 2019 | Boys | #4,837 | 20 |
| 2019 | Girls | #2,113 | 89 |
| 2018 | Boys | #3,552 | 31 |
| 2018 | Girls | #2,135 | 89 |
| 2017 | Boys | #4,499 | 22 |
| 2017 | Girls | #1,724 | 123 |
| 2016 | Boys | #5,365 | 17 |
| 2016 | Girls | #1,736 | 120 |
| 2015 | Boys | #3,902 | 27 |
| 2015 | Girls | #1,863 | 110 |
| 2014 | Boys | #3,629 | 29 |
| 2014 | Girls | #1,897 | 106 |
Years reflect available birth records. Missing records do not mean zero births.
Names like Darby
Explore the connection, then save your favorites to compare.
Avery
Unisex- Meaning
- Ruler of the elves
Shares an origin with Darby.
Carter
Unisex- Meaning
- Transporter of goods by cart
Shares an origin with Darby.
Riley
Unisex- Meaning
- Rye clearing (English); Irish surname origin uncertain
Shares an origin with Darby.
Rowan
Unisex- Meaning
- Rowan tree; little redhead
Shares an origin with Darby.
Angel
Unisex- Meaning
- Angel; messenger
Shares an origin with Darby.
Quinn
Unisex- Meaning
- Descendant of Conn, chief leader, intelligence
Shares an origin with Darby.
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