Find out how popular the first name Darcy has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Darcy by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Darcy is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 92% of people named Darcy being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 245 female babies and 17 male babies born with the name Darcy.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 17 baby boys were named Darcy in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Darcy

The name Darcy is an English given name with origins dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Norman French place name D'Arcy, referring to various towns and villages in northern France. The name's roots can be traced back to the Old French word "erce," meaning a ridge or high ground.

In the late 11th century, after the Norman Conquest of England, many Norman nobles and their families settled in various parts of England, bringing with them their French names and place names. The D'Arcy family, who originated from the region of D'Arcy in Normandy, established themselves in England and adopted the anglicized form of their name, Darcy.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Darcy can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book mentions several individuals with the surname D'Arcy, indicating the name's presence in England during that period.

The name Darcy gained prominence in the 13th century with the rise of the powerful D'Arcy family in England. One notable figure was Thomas Darcy (1508-1558), an English nobleman who served as Lord Chamberlain to King Henry VIII. He played a significant role in the dissolution of the monasteries during the English Reformation.

Another famous bearer of the name was Countess Mary Darcy (1622-1677), an English noblewoman and heiress who inherited vast estates and wealth. She was a prominent figure in the English Civil War and supported the Royalist cause against the Parliamentarians.

In literature, the name Darcy is most famously associated with Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the male protagonist in Jane Austen's novel "Pride and Prejudice" (1813). Darcy's character, initially perceived as arrogant and aloof, undergoes a transformation throughout the novel, becoming a beloved and admired figure.

Other notable individuals with the name Darcy include Darcy Ribeiro (1922-1997), a Brazilian anthropologist, author, and politician who played a significant role in the development of educational policies in Brazil, and Darcy Kuemper (born 1990), a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing in the National Hockey League.

While the name Darcy has retained its English roots, it has gained popularity across various cultures and regions, reflecting the enduring appeal of its historical significance and literary associations.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Darcy was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Darcy, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!