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Derius
How to Pronounce Derius
Pronounced DEER-ee-uhs /ˈdɪr.i.əs/Medium
Meaning: Derius is a respelling of Darius, the Greek and Latin form of the Old Persian royal name Dārayavahu, meaning 'holding firm the good' or 'possessing goodness'. It carries the regal history of the Persian kings named Darius.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
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
Derius is a modern spelling of Darius, which reached English through Greek and Latin from the Old Persian Dārayavahu, 'he who holds firm the good'. The name belonged to several kings of the Achaemenid Empire, most famously Darius the Great. In the late twentieth-century United States, Darius and its variants became especially popular among African-American families, and Derius emerged as a sleeker, e-spelled cousin.
The name appears in the U.S. record from the late 1970s and peaked in 1991 before easing off, though it never became common in this spelling. A man named Derius from that peak is now in his thirties. Standard Darius carries most of the demand, but Derius shares its rich Persian meaning and dignified sound, making it a substantive if uncommon choice.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Derius mean?
Derius is a respelling of Darius, from the Old Persian royal name meaning 'holding firm the good'.
How do you pronounce Derius?
It's said DEER-ee-uhs /ˈdɪr.i.əs/ — three syllables, stress on the first.
Is Derius a boy or girl name?
Derius is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Derius?
Derius has always been rare in the U.S., an uncommon spelling of the historic Darius.