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Darey

♂ Boy

Pronounced DAIR-ee /ˈdɛr.i/Medium

Meaning: Most plausibly from Yoruba Dare — short for names like Oladare, 'the crown does justice' / 'crowned with justice' — as carried by Nigerian singer Darey; alternatively a modern Darius-family variantLow

In 30 seconds: A rarity with a likely Lagos passport: Darey matches the stage name of Nigerian soul singer Darey, whose Yoruba root Dare belongs to crown-names like Oladare. We flag the rest as honestly uncertain.
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Origin LowYoruba, American
MeaningMost plausibly from Yoruba Dare — short for names like Oladare, 'the crown does justice' / 'crowned with justice' — as carried by Nigerian singer Darey; alternatively a modern Darius-family variant
U.S. rank (2024)#3276 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births36 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 695

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200920052024

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

History & Origin

Darey is scarcely documented as a U.S. given name. Its most traceable thread is Yoruba: singer Darey (Dare Art Alade) popularized the spelling, and Dare in Yoruba clips crown-compounds like Oladare, often glossed 'the crown acts justly'. An English reading as a Darius- or Darcy-family variant is also possible; neither is certain.

With so few bearers, the name's American story is still being written — likely by Nigerian-American families and by parents who simply like the daring sound. We flag the etymology rather than gild it.

Did you know? Yoruba names beginning Ola- ('wealth, honor, crown') clip into short everyday forms — Dare from Oladare — the way English turns Alexander into Alex.
Overall data confidence 55%
Yoruba name references — Oladare/Dare — likely root; name form under-documented

Variations

DareOladareDarius

Nicknames

Dare

Famous Bearers

  • ★Darey (1982–present)
    Nigerian R&B singer and producer, born Dare Art Alade.

If you like Darey…

Darius— the Persian classic of the alternative reading
Xaire— a fellow American choice
Kaire— lands in the same popularity range
Rakai— a fellow American choice
Asai— another American name

Browse the whole category: All Yoruba names →  ·  All American names →  ·  All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Darey mean?

Darey is most plausibly linked to Yoruba Dare, a short form of crown-names like Oladare, 'the crown does justice'; the etymology is uncertain and flagged.

How do you pronounce Darey?

It's said DAIR-ee /ˈdɛr.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Darey a boy or girl name?

Darey appears as a boy's name in U.S. records.

How popular is Darey?

Darey is a vanishingly rare name in the U.S.