Darius Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Darius is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Darius?
Darius is spelled D-A-R-I-U-S. The name has 6 letters.
Darius at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Darius is commonly believed to mean “possessor” or “maintainer.”
- Origin
- Darius is a name historically associated with ancient Persia, particularly with kings of the Achaemenid dynasty.
- Pronunciation
- DAIR-ee-uhs · 3 syllables
Darius Popularity in 2025
Rank#788
Recorded Births322
- Boys usage fell 42 places to #788 and recorded 22 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Darius Mean?
Darius is commonly believed to mean “possessor” or “maintainer.”
Origin: Darius is a name historically associated with ancient Persia, particularly with kings of the Achaemenid dynasty. It may derive from Old Persian elements, but its exact etymology is not certain.
How Do You Pronounce Darius?
PronunciationDAIR-ee-uhs
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Darius?
- History
- Historical texts record the name Darius as belonging to several Persian rulers, notably Darius I, who ruled in the 5th century BCE. The name has been used across various cultures and eras.
Darius Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2004 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 322 | #788 |
| 2024 | Boys | 344 | #746 |
| 2023 | Boys | 367 | #723 |
| 2022 | Boys | 402 | #679 |
| 2021 | Boys | 434 | #636 |
| 2020 | Boys | 469 | #592 |
| 2019 | Boys | 491 | #567 |
| 2018 | Boys | 553 | #510 |
| 2017 | Boys | 584 | #495 |
| 2016 | Boys | 584 | #511 |
| 2015 | Boys | 579 | #501 |
| 2014 | Boys | 614 | #473 |
| 2013 | Boys | 718 | #410 |
| 2012 | Boys | 730 | #399 |
| 2011 | Boys | 766 | #380 |
| 2010 | Boys | 929 | #337 |
| 2009 | Boys | 956 | #333 |
| 2008 | Boys | 1,052 | #318 |
| 2007 | Girls | 6 | #15,491 |
| 2007 | Boys | 1,090 | #306 |
| 2006 | Boys | 1,244 | #278 |
| 2005 | Girls | 5 | #16,462 |
| 2005 | Boys | 1,134 | #291 |
| 2004 | Girls | 7 | #12,761 |
When Was Darius Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1994 · Boys
2,184 recorded births
National rank #155
1998 · Boys
2,131 recorded births
National rank #162
1991 · Boys
2,118 recorded births
National rank #152
1990 · Boys
2,033 recorded births
National rank #152
Where Darius Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| OK | #504 | 8 |
| UT | #515 | 8 |
| MO | #518 | 11 |
| MS | #522 | 5 |
| AL | #525 | 9 |
| LA | #531 | 8 |
| MD | #634 | 7 |
| WA | #639 | 10 |