Originating from Scotland, the name Darien is of Scottish and Irish derivation. It's a variant spelling of the name Darin, which itself originates from the Irish surname Ó Dochartaigh, meaning 'descendant of Dochartach'. Dochartach is believed to derive from the Irish words 'do' meaning 'dark' or 'dusky', and 'carachtach', describing someone who is 'vigorous' or 'bold'. Therefore, Darien could be interpreted as meaning 'bold or vigorous person with dark hair or complexion'. This name is not particularly common but has been used in various countries over time, contributing to its uniqueness. It's also worth noting that it shares some similarities with other names such as Darragh and Darryl, which might help it sound familiar despite its rarity.
The name Darien experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable spike starting from 1992 onwards. Between 1937 and 1986, the number of annual births ranged between 5 to 19, with a steady increase towards the end of this period. However, from 1988 onwards, there was a substantial rise in popularity, reaching a peak of 175 births in 1995. This trend continued until around 2003, after which the number of annual births began to decline steadily, dropping as low as 5 births per year by 2020. Overall, there were a total of 1844 births recorded with the name Darien over this period.