Fun Facts About the Name Darlin
- 936 babies named Darlin: U.S. records list 936 babies given the name Darlin from 1880 through 2025. Even 91 boys received the name Darlin - about 1 boy for every 9 girls.
What Does the Name Darlin Mean?
Darlin is a given name taken from the English word darling, an affectionate term meaning "beloved" or "dear one." The English word comes from Old English dēorling, formed from dēore ("dear, precious") plus the suffix -ling, which could mark a diminutive or a person defined by the word it follows. Middle English kept the form dereling, and the modern spelling darling developed later. The literal sense of the name is therefore "beloved one," and no older personal name stands behind it.
The name is used mainly in Spanish-speaking countries and in Hispanic communities in the United States, where it was adopted from English as a word rather than translated; the Spanish equivalents of the idea are querido and amado, which are not the source of this name. Both the spelling Darlin and the spelling Darling occur as given names in that setting. It is generally a feminine name, though it is occasionally given to boys. It should not be confused with Darlene, a separate name whose derivation is explained differently.
Darlin Name History & Origins
The word darling has been used in English as a term of endearment since the medieval period, but as a personal name it has remained uncommon in English-speaking countries. The given name Darlin belongs instead to the broad group of names adopted in Latin America during the twentieth century that were drawn from English words and affectionate expressions. These names spread through the Caribbean and through Central and South America, sometimes taking spellings adjusted to Spanish writing habits.
Within that group, Darling and Darlin are found as given names in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guatemala, and Venezuela, and among families from those countries living in the United States. Names of this kind do not come from a saint, a biblical figure, or a traditional Germanic or Latin root; they follow the modern pattern in which an English vocabulary word was simply taken over as a personal name. The spelling Darlin also matches the way the English word is written when the final g of darling is dropped in casual speech.
How Popular is the Name Darlin?
Darlin has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2007. Its best rank was #3,769 in 1954.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #4,091 | 35 | 0.0022% |
| 2024 | #5,645 | 22 | 0.0014% |
| 2023 | #7,337 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2022 | #4,693 | 29 | 0.0018% |
| 2021 | #5,797 | 21 | 0.0013% |
| 2020 | #4,920 | 26 | 0.0016% |
| 2019 | #5,841 | 21 | 0.0013% |
| 2018 | #5,499 | 23 | 0.0014% |
| 2017 | #7,542 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2016 | #6,720 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 2015 | #9,087 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2014 | #5,514 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 2013 | #7,481 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2012 | #5,953 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 2011 | #5,591 | 24 | 0.0014% |
| 2010 | #5,465 | 25 | 0.0014% |
| 2009 | #5,752 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 2008 | #4,384 | 35 | 0.0019% |
| 2007 | #4,321 | 35 | 0.0018% |
| 2006 | #4,711 | 30 | 0.0016% |
| 2005 | #4,737 | 28 | 0.0015% |
| 2004 | #7,941 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2003 | #5,639 | 21 | 0.0011% |
| 2002 | #4,415 | 28 | 0.0016% |
| 2001 | #4,723 | 25 | 0.0014% |
| 2000 | #6,007 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 1999 | #8,371 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1998 | #9,465 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1997 | #6,569 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1996 | #5,331 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 1995 | #6,341 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1994 | #6,055 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1993 | #5,735 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 1992 | #7,639 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1991 | #8,114 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1990 | #8,026 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1989 | #8,940 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1988 | #8,584 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1987 | #11,717 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1986 | #6,713 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1984 | #10,789 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1983 | #7,456 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1981 | #7,558 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1979 | #6,300 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1977 | #9,951 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1972 | #7,485 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1966 | #6,789 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1965 | #5,948 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1961 | #6,764 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1955 | #6,012 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1954 | #3,769 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1950 | #4,405 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #8,404 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2024 | #7,857 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2023 | #12,627 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2022 | #11,175 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2021 | #12,551 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2020 | #12,458 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2017 | #9,919 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2015 | #9,777 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2013 | #8,971 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2012 | #12,686 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2009 | #11,305 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2007 | #8,327 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 2005 | #7,772 | 9 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Explore More Lists with Name Darlin
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with D
How the Name Darlin Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are strong in material matters, determined and stubborn. You have good business ability. You are a good worker, steady and practical, a builder who takes responsibility well. These qualities may bring you a position of authority and power. You are a doer, down-to-earth, serious-minded, reliable, and self-disciplined; have good power of concentration. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Darlin's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Darlin's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.