Dasha

Dasha is a familiar Russian form of Darya, related to Daria and ultimately to the ancient Persian name Darius. That older name is generally understood as possessing or holding goodness. Dasha therefore combines a short, affectionate Russian form with a name family whose roots extend much further back into Persian history.

In Russian naming, familiar forms often have a life alongside a longer formal name, making Dasha a natural everyday partner for Darya. Outside that tradition it can also be chosen as a complete given name. Daria and Darya help show its family relationship, while the sh sound makes Dasha immediately distinct from those longer forms without needing a newly invented meaning.