Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Darling

Darling

♂ Boy

Pronounced DAR-ling /ˈdɑr.lɪŋ/Medium

Meaning: From the English word 'darling' ('dearly loved; beloved'), an old term of endearment (from Old English 'deorling'); also a surname. Usually a girl's word-name; used here for a boy, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A tender word-name: Darling means 'dearly loved; beloved' (said 'DAR-ling'). Usually a girl's or an endearment, we note.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom the English word 'darling' ('dearly loved; beloved'), an old term of endearment (from Old English 'deorling'); also a surname. Usually a girl's word-name; used here for a boy, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#12689 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1932
Total births (all-time)≈ 15

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419322024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Darling comes from the English word 'darling' ('dearly loved; beloved'), from Old English 'deorling', and is also a surname. As a given name it appears in Latin American and Caribbean naming too. It usually reads as a girl's word-name or a term of endearment; used here for a boy, we note the lean (said 'DAR-ling').

In the U.S. it appears rarely as a boy's name. Tender, word-flavored, and cross-sex.

Did you know? Darling is an English word-name and surname meaning 'dearly loved' — an old term of endearment. It leans to girls or to affectionate use, which we note (said 'DAR-ling').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Darling — Word-name 'dearly loved'; usually girl's/endearment; cross-sex

Variations

DarlinDarlyn

Nicknames

DarLing

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Darling…

Amado— a like 'beloved'-meaning name
Irving— echoes that soft -ng sound
Channing— another English name
Blessing— a similarly popular pick
Aking— another English name

Explore names like Darling

By themeenglishword-namevirtuecross-sex

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Darling mean?

Darling is a word-name meaning 'dearly loved; beloved', an old term of endearment.

How do you pronounce Darling?

It's said DAR-ling /ˈdɑr.lɪŋ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Darling a boy or girl name?

Darling is used here as a boy's name; note it is usually a girl's word-name or a term of endearment.

How popular is Darling?

Darling is a rare name for boys in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia