A 1960s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Daren since 1922
Babies named Daren per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 77 |
| 1930s | 31 |
| 1940s | 96 |
| 1950s | 288 |
| 1960s | 3,951 |
| 1970s | 2,174 |
| 1980s | 1,558 |
| 1990s | 1,062 |
| 2000s | 910 |
| 2010s | 498 |
| 2020s | 210 |
Meaning & origin
Daren is a variant of Darren, a name that saw its peak popularity in the United States in 1965, when it ranked 3,181st overall. As of 2025, the name is given to approximately 1 in 46,164 newborns, making it a relatively rare choice. The trajectory shows a rising trend since 2021, suggesting a modest comeback. Historically, Daren has been consistently recorded since 1922, with strong ties to Texas, where it is most common. As a modern English variant, it carries the stylistic tone of mid-century naming trends, offering a familiar yet distinctive alternative to the more common Darren.
Daren is generally considered a variant spelling of Darren, which itself has debated origins. It may derive from Irish Gaelic 'Dáire' meaning 'fruitful' or 'fertile,' or from the Norman French name 'Dairen.' Alternatively, it could be a modern English coinage from the surname or place name. Since the mid-20th century, Darren and its variants like Daren have been used as given names in English-speaking countries.
Where Daren is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Daren” around the world
Where Daren lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dare, Ren
Sibling names for Daren
Names that share Daren's style, for a brother or sister.
