A 1960s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Dary since 1955
Babies named Dary per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1958, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dary's real moment was 1968.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 0 | 32 |
| 1960s | 0 | 49 |
| 1970s | 0 | 14 |
| 1980s | 24 | 22 |
| 1990s | 0 | 5 |
| 2000s | 0 | 12 |
| 2010s | 0 | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Dary is an extremely rare English name that first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1955. It peaked in 1968 with a handful of births, then fell out of steady use until a slight resurgence began in 2022. The name likely derives from the more common Daryl, which itself comes from the Old English dærling, meaning 'darling.' Despite its obscurity, Dary has maintained a quiet presence, with a trajectory that shows it is rising again since 2022, appealing to parents seeking a simple, vintage-sounding name. The name has never been popular enough to have a top state concentration; its usage is scattered across the country.
Dary is likely an English name, possibly a variant of Daryl (itself from the Old English dærling 'darling') or a short form of Daryll. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1955, but it has never been common. Its peak usage came in 1968, and after a long decline, it has seen a small resurgence since 2022.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dare, Ry
Sibling names for Dary
Names that share Dary's style, for a brother or sister.
