Darden is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English word "torr" which means "thorn". It is also associated with the surname D'Arcy, which has Norman origins and was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The name Darden is not particularly common, but it has been used throughout history. One notable historical figure bearing this name is Darden Hobson, a Confederate soldier during the American Civil War who earned the Medal of Honor for his bravery at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863.
In literature, the name appears in John Galsworthy's novel "The Forsyte Saga," where one of the characters is named Darden. The name has also been used as a given name for characters in various films and television shows.
Overall, Darden is an uncommon yet distinctive name with historical roots and a unique meaning that sets it apart from other names of English origin.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Darden has seen varied popularity over several decades in the United States. Between 1924 and 1958, there were a total of 68 babies named Darden at birth.
The name reached its peak popularity during this period in 1931 and 1933 with 6 births each year. It's interesting to note that the name maintained consistent popularity throughout these decades, with an average of about 5 or 6 births per year over this span.
Despite its fluctuations in popularity, Darden has remained a distinct and recognizable name, with a unique history in American naming trends as reflected by these statistics.