The name Darci is a variant of the Latin name Darius, which dates back to ancient Persia. The name Darius was derived from the Persian word "Dara," meaning "to possess" or "wealthy." This name was famously borne by several Persian kings, including Darius the Great, who ruled the Achaemenid Empire from 522 to 486 BC.

While the name Darius has its roots in Persia, the variant spelling Darci is believed to have originated in the English-speaking world during the late 20th century. It is thought to be a combination of the name Darius and the suffix "-ci," which is commonly used in feminine names.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Darci can be found in the 1987 film "Dragnet," where a character named Darci was portrayed by actress Ariye Curry. However, the name did not gain significant popularity until the 1990s and early 2000s.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Darci. One of the most famous was Darci Kistler, an American ballerina who was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet from 1986 to 2010. Another notable Darci was Darci Brahma, a Brazilian singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the 1990s.

In the world of sports, Darci Candy was a Canadian figure skater who competed in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics. Additionally, Darci Brown was a professional basketball player who played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Another notable individual with the name Darci was Darci Marchese, an American actress and model who appeared in several television shows and films in the 1990s and early 2000s.

While the name Darci may have a long and varied history, its modern popularity as a feminine name can be traced back to the late 20th century, when it gained traction as a unique and stylish variation of the more traditional name Darius.