Dario

♂ Boy

Pronounced DAR-ee-oh /ˈdɑ.ɾi.o/High

Meaning: Possessor of goodness or maintains goodness well; the Italian and Spanish form of Darius, from the Old Persian Darayavahush meaning holder of goodHigh

In 30 seconds: Dario is the Italian and Spanish form of the ancient Persian name Darius meaning possessor of goodness, a name of kings carried gracefully into modern romance languages with three-syllable elegance.

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Origin HighPersian, Italian, Spanish

MeaningPossessor of goodness or maintains goodness well; the Italian and Spanish form of Darius, from the Old Persian Darayavahush meaning holder of good

U.S. rank (2025)#760 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births339 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 11,945

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Dario is the Italian and Spanish form of Darius, derived from the Old Persian Darayavahush, meaning he who holds firm to goodness or possesses good. The element daraya means to hold or possess, and vahu means good. Three Persian kings bore this name, most famously Darius I the Great.

The name entered Europe through Greek Dareios and Latin Darius, spreading through Christian Europe via early saints and the Darius mentioned in the Book of Daniel. The Italian form Dario is popular in Italy and among Italian and Spanish speakers worldwide. The playwright and Nobel laureate Dario Fo brought the name great cultural prestige.

Did you know? Darius the Great, King of Persia from 522 to 486 BC, extended the Achaemenid Empire to its greatest size, building the royal road network and codifying the first Persian postal system — feats that made his name synonymous with imperial greatness.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Dario — etymology from Persian DarayavahushU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

DariusDarianDarion

Nicknames

Dar

Famous Bearers

★Dario Fo (1926–2016)
Italian playwright, actor, and Nobel Prize laureate in Literature (1997), celebrated for satirical political theater.
★Dario Franchitti (1973–present)
Scottish racing driver and four-time IndyCar champion, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner.

If you like Dario…

Mario— same three-syllable Italian -io ending with Latin warmth

Mateo— shares the stylish Latin three-syllable pattern

Sergio— fellow classic Italian/Spanish -io name with ancient roots

Romeo— same romantic Italian -o ending and classical heritage

Frequently Asked

What does the name Dario mean?

Dario means possessor of goodness, from Old Persian Darayavahush, through the Italian and Spanish form of Darius.

How do you pronounce Dario?

It is said DAR-ee-oh, three syllables with stress on the first.

Is Dario an Italian name?

Yes, Dario is the Italian and Spanish form of the ancient Persian-Greek name Darius, widely used in Italy and Latin America.

Is Dario a common name?

Dario is common in Italy and among Hispanic communities worldwide, and is moderately used in the United States.