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Darby
Pronounced DAR-bee /ΛdΙΛr.bi/High
Meaning: From the English place name Derby, derived from Old Norse dyr (deer) and byr (settlement or village)High
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Darby derives from Derby, an English city in the East Midlands whose name comes from Old Norse djΓΊr-bΓ½, meaning 'deer settlement.' The Norsemen who settled Britain after the 9th century named many towns with the suffix -by (village), and Derby became one of the prominent Danelaw towns. The surname Darby evolved as families took their name from this locality.
As a given name, Darby was historically male β the Irish expression 'Darby and Joan' (a devoted elderly couple) used it as a man's name. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Darby transitioned strongly to girls in the United States, fitting the trend for gender-neutral surname names. It has appeared on the SSA girls' chart since the 1990s.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
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Darby Stanchfield (1971-)American actress known for Scandal and Locke & Key
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Darby Crash (1958-1980)American punk singer and frontman of the Germs
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Darby Camp (2007-)American actress featured in Big Little Lies
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Darby mean?
Darby comes from the English place name Derby, derived from Old Norse meaning 'deer settlement' or 'deer village.'
How do you pronounce Darby?
Darby is pronounced DAR-bee /ΛdΙΛr.bi/ β two syllables with stress on the first.
Is Darby a boy or girl name?
Darby is traditionally unisex, but in the U.S. it is now used primarily as a girl's name.
How popular is Darby?
Darby is a rare but growing name for girls in the U.S., fitting the popular trend of surname names for girls.