Darwin
Darwin was the 961st most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 241 babies. Its best year was 1938, when it ranked 297th; the most babies were born in 1958 (418). Over the last ten years it has moved down 92 places. More babies were named Darwin in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Meaning Meaning disputed · Old English, Germanic
Say it DAR-win /ˈdɑrwɪn/
- Rank in 2025
- #961 boys, down 56 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 241boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 1958418 babies
- Total since 1880
- 26,436babies recorded
What does the name Darwin mean?
Darwin is an English surname from a medieval personal name, and sources differ on its parts. Wiktionary derives it from Old English Dēorwine, "dear friend" (dēore + wine). DMNES, recording the name in medieval France, explains it as Frankish darod, "spear, javelin", plus wini, "friend". As a first name it often honors the naturalist Charles Darwin; it was most common in the US in the 1950s and 1960s.
wine (Old English, “friend”)dēore (Old English, “dear (Wiktionary)”)daroth (Frankish, “spear (DMNES)”)
How sure is this? Disputed. The second part ("friend") is agreed; the first is "dear" (Wiktionary) or "spear" (DMNES).
Related names: Derwin, Darwyn.
See also: English names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Darwin', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Darwin', DMNES (Durham University)
- Wikipedia, 'Darwin (given name)', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation)
Darwin popularity since 1880
A few girls are given the name too: 89 since 1933.
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #961 | 241 |
| 2020 | #905 | 248 |
| 2010 | #732 | 313 |
| 2000 | #1,007 | 146 |
| 1990 | #910 | 128 |
| 1980 | #805 | 119 |
| 1970 | #563 | 207 |
| 1960 | #399 | 392 |
| 1950 | #377 | 324 |
| 1940 | #320 | 309 |
| 1930 | #332 | 280 |
| 1920 | #460 | 174 |
| 1910 | #714 | 18 |
| 1900 | #1,357 | 5 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Darwin, counting every spelling?
Darwin is the most common spelling of a name family that ranked #924 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together, compared with #961 for Darwin on its own. Together these spellings went to 241 boys in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin | 241 | #961 | 1,187 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How many kids will share the name Darwin?
241 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Darwin (0.07 per 1,000 births). For a boy named Darwin born in 2025, the chance that another child with the same name is in a class of 20 children the same age is under 1 in 50. If every grade liked the name as much as the 2025 babies do, only about one elementary school in 35 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Darwin.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Darwin?
About 16,500 people born in the US named Darwin are alive today, with a median age of 44; half are between 17 and 66. That makes Darwin mostly worn by adults in their thirties to fifties. The wide spread shows a name popular in two different eras.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Darwin by state
How common Darwin was among boys born in each state in 2021–2025. It is notably more common than nationally in New Jersey (2.0×), Massachusetts (2.0×), Virginia (1.8×), Florida (1.8×), Maryland (1.8×). In 26 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Darwin: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Darwin, they share its era and feel.
Middle names for Darwin · Sibling names for Darwin
Questions about the name Darwin
What does Darwin mean?
The meaning of Darwin is disputed: the second part ("friend") is agreed; the first is "dear" (Wiktionary) or "spear" (DMNES).
How popular is the name Darwin?
Darwin was the 961st most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 241 babies. Its best year was 1938, when it ranked 297th; the most babies were born in 1958 (418). Over the last ten years it has moved down 92 places. More babies were named Darwin in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Is Darwin a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Darwin in the US.
Where is Darwin most popular?
In 2021–2025, Darwin was most common in New Jersey (0.28 per 1,000 boys), followed by Massachusetts and Virginia.