Darcy is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English word "deor" meaning "dear" or "beloved". It was originally used as a surname, given to people who were considered dear or beloved by others.
The first known use of Darcy as a given name was in the late 19th century. It is not clear why or how this shift from surname to given name occurred, but it may have been influenced by the popularity of Victorian literature and the use of Darcy as a character name in works such as "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen.
Throughout history, there have been several notable people with the surname Darcy. One of the most famous is Sir Richard Darcy (1504-1558), who served as a gentleman usher to King Henry VIII and later became an ambassador to Scotland. Another notable figure is Edward Fitzwilliam, 7th Baron Fitzwilliam (1897-1957), who was known by the surname Darcy due to his inheritance of the Darcy estate in Derbyshire.
Despite its origins as a surname, Darcy has become increasingly popular as a given name for boys and girls in recent years. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Darcy has ranked among the top 1000 names for girls since 2008 and for boys since 2016.
Overall, Darcy is a unique and distinctive name with a rich history behind it. Whether used as a given name or surname, it carries connotations of love, affection, and admiration due to its meaning and origins.
The name Darcy has been given to a total of 2,731 babies born in the United States over the past century, with fluctuations in popularity over the years. In the early 20th century, the name saw its first peak in popularity between 1946 and 1950, with 42 births in 1950 alone.
The height of Darcy's popularity came in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with a total of 738 births recorded between 1954 and 1964. The name reached its zenith in 1963, with 70 babies named Darcy that year.
After this peak, the popularity of the name began to decline steadily until the late 1980s, when it reached its lowest point, with only 8 births recorded in 1994. However, since then, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the name Darcy, with over 300 babies named Darcy born between 2002 and 2023.
In recent years, the name Darcy has seen renewed interest, with 17 births recorded in both 2021 and 2023. Despite its fluctuating popularity, Darcy remains a distinctive and timeless name choice for parents looking to give their child a unique identity.