Is Darius a boy's or girl's name?

Darius is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 272 recorded births.

When was Darius most popular?

Darius reached its peak popularity in 1994 with 2,184 births that year. It is currently ranked #746 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Darius?

Darius is currently ranked #746 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 53,677 babies since 1880.

Darius

A Persian name gently fading from the charts.

Boy's name| Also girlsPersianDeclining Also a pet name

#746▼ 18in 2024

Meaning & Origin

Any of several kings in Achaemenid dynasty of Persia, 6th to 4th century BCE.

Darius is a boy's and girl's baby name of Persian origin, from the Old Persian Dariush meaning 'he who holds firm the good' or 'protector.' Darius the Great, king of the Achaemenid Persian Empire (522–486 BC), built one of history's largest empires and gave the name its imperial grandeur.

With over 53,000 U.S. births, Darius has extraordinary staying power. It has been a beloved choice in African American communities for decades, carrying the name of one of antiquity's most powerful rulers. It has a formal, regal quality while the nickname Dare or Dari keeps it warm and accessible. A name of genuine ancient imperial power.

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Popularity Over Time

Darius was #284 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #746, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Darius
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	2,011	#676	▼
2010s	6,546	#459	▼
2000s	12,436	#274	▼
1990s	19,665	#167	▲
1980s	7,178	#310	▲
1970s	3,144	#454	▲
1960s	1,350	#674	▲
1950s	587	#991	▲
1940s	252	#1443	▲
1930s	170	#1771	—
1920s	178	#1933	▲
1910s	128	#1780	▲
1890s	10	#1112	▼
1880s	22	#780	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(119 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Darius
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	343	#746	-22 (-6.0%)
2023	365	#728	-37 (-9.2%)
2022	402	#678	-32 (-7.4%)
2021	434	#636	-33 (-7.1%)
2020	467	#592	-24 (-4.9%)
2019	491	#567	-61 (-11.1%)
2018	552	#511	-32 (-5.5%)
2017	584	#495	0
2016	584	#511	+6 (1.0%)
2015	578	#502	-36 (-5.9%)
2014	614	#473	-104 (-14.5%)
2013	718	#410	-12 (-1.6%)
2012	730	#399	-36 (-4.7%)
2011	766	#380	-163 (-17.5%)
2010	929	#337	-27 (-2.8%)
2009	956	#333	-96 (-9.1%)
2008	1,052	#318	-38 (-3.5%)
2007	1,090	#306	-154 (-12.4%)
2006	1,244	#278	+110 (9.7%)
2005	1,134	#291	+17 (1.5%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Darius as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Darius has also been given to 272 girls in the U.S. since 1965.

Unranked

Current rank

272

Total births

1989

Peak year

Compare Darius as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Darius be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Darius is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #746. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Darius has two lives

Darius, the baby name

#746boys

53,677 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology