A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Darwin since 1881
Babies named Darwin per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1958, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Darwin's real moment was 1935.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 23 |
| 1890s | 20 |
| 1900s | 66 |
| 1910s | 964 |
| 1920s | 2,208 |
| 1930s | 3,023 |
| 1940s | 3,033 |
| 1950s | 3,490 |
| 1960s | 3,436 |
| 1970s | 1,363 |
| 1980s | 1,150 |
| 1990s | 1,292 |
| 2000s | 2,252 |
| 2010s | 2,592 |
| 2020s | 1,435 |
Meaning & origin
Darwin first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1881 and reached its peak popularity in 1935. After declining for decades, the name has been rising again since 1986. As of 2025, it ranks 960th, with approximately 1 in 7,087 boys given the name. The name is most common in Iowa, Connecticut, and Louisiana. Darwin's revival reflects a broader trend of reviving early 20th century names, and it remains a distinctive choice with strong historical and scientific associations.
Darwin is derived from the Old English name Deorwine, composed of elements deor (dear) and wine (friend). It was a relatively rare given name until the 19th century, when it gained prominence due to the naturalist Charles Darwin. Its use as a first name has since been modest but enduring.
Where Darwin 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.
“Darwin” around the world
Where Darwin lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
40
babies in 2024
Quebec
9
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dar, Win
Variants: Durwin
Sibling names for Darwin
Names that share Darwin's style, for a brother or sister.
