Darcy is a name of Irish origin and it means "from the dark hill". It has been used for both male and female babies throughout history. In Ireland, the name Darcy is often associated with the O'Darcey clan who were a powerful family in County Kerry. The most famous member of this clan was Muircheartach O'Darcey, also known as "The Red Earl", who ruled over Munster during the 13th century.
The name Darcy has gained popularity outside of Ireland due to its use in literature and popular culture. In Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is one of the main characters. He is a wealthy and proud gentleman who eventually falls in love with Elizabeth Bennet. This character has helped to make the name Darcy more well-known among English speakers.
The name Darcy can also be found in other works of literature such as Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest, where one of the characters is named Cecily Cardew and she has a cousin named Ernest who goes by the nickname "Darcy". Additionally, the name was used for the main character in the television series Pushing Daisies, which aired from 2007 to 2009.
Today, Darcy continues to be a popular choice among parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their child. Its Irish origins give it a distinct cultural heritage while its use in literature makes it familiar and relatable to many people around the world.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe the trend of the name Darcy over time in the United States.
From 1917 to 1937, the number of babies named Darcy was quite low, with an average of around 6 births per year. However, starting from 1940, there was a significant increase in the popularity of this name, reaching a peak in 1959 with 413 births.
The years between 1959 and 1972 saw a consistent decline in the number of babies named Darcy, dropping to as low as 48 births in 1976. This trend continued until 1980 when there were 460 births, followed by another decrease.
From 1981 onwards, the popularity of the name Darcy started to fluctuate more significantly. There were periods of increased usage, such as between 1988 and 1991, with around 250-300 births per year. However, this was followed by a sharp decline in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with fewer than 200 births each year.
Since 2008, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the name Darcy. In 2022, there were 245 babies named Darcy, marking an increase from previous years. Overall, since 1917, a total of 22,833 babies have been named Darcy in the United States.