Darius is a masculine given name of Persian origin. Its meaning and history are deeply rooted in ancient Persian culture.
The name Darius is derived from the Old Persian word "Dārayavahauš," which means "possessing greatness" or "holder of good". It was borne by several prominent figures in ancient Persian history, including Darius I, also known as Darius the Great, who ruled the Persian Empire from 522 to 486 BCE. Darius I is renowned for his military conquests and administrative reforms, which greatly expanded and consolidated the Persian Empire.
Another notable figure with the name Darius was Darius III, the last king of the Achaemenid Empire, who ruled from 336 to 330 BCE. He is remembered for his confrontation with Alexander the Great, during which he was ultimately defeated and his empire fell.
In literature, the name Darius appears in several works, such as "The Persian Wars" by Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian. In this work, Darius I is depicted as a wise and just ruler, who successfully defended his kingdom against invading Greeks.
Today, Darius remains a popular given name in countries with significant Persian or Iranian populations, as well as among those who appreciate its historical significance and strong meaning. Despite its ancient origins, the name Darius has maintained its relevance and continues to be chosen by parents seeking a distinctive and meaningful name for their sons.
The name Darius has seen a fluctuating trend in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. Between 1970 and 2007, there were a total of 180 babies named Darius born in the U.S.
From 1970 to 1980, the name Darius was quite rare, with only five births each year. However, it began to gain some traction in the mid-1980s, with six births recorded annually from 1983 to 1986.
The name reached its peak popularity between 1990 and 1994, with a high of 15 births in 1990. This period saw a significant increase in the number of babies named Darius compared to previous years.
After this peak, the popularity of the name began to decline once again. From 1995 to 2007, there were fewer than ten births per year for the name Darius, with a low of five births recorded in 2004.
Overall, while the name Darius has not been one of the most popular choices for parents over the past few decades, it has still maintained a consistent presence among baby names in the United States.