The name Darling is of English origin and is derived from the word "darling," which means beloved or sweetheart. It is a term of endearment used to express affection towards someone. The name has been used as a given name since the late 19th century, but it was popularized in the early 20th century by the novel and subsequent film "Peter Pan," in which the character Wendy calls her younger brothers John and Michael her "darlings." Despite its recent popularity, Darling is not considered a traditional English name and has never been particularly common. It is more often used as a nickname or middle name than as a given name.
"The name Darling has seen a steady but small presence in the United States over the years, with consistent appearances in the birth records. In 1932, there were five newborns named Darling, and this number remained unchanged in 2019, with another five babies receiving this distinctive moniker. This constant low but consistent figure suggests that while it's not a highly popular name, Darling has maintained a steady presence among parents' choices for their children's names over the years."