The name Darwin is an English given name derived from the Old English word "deor", meaning "beloved" or "dear one". It has been in use since at least the 11th century, with early records showing variations such as Derwine and Deorwine.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Derwine, a monk and saint who lived in the 7th century in what is now Northumbria, England. He was known for founding several monasteries and his dedication to the Christian faith.

The name gained wider recognition in the 19th century due to the renowned English naturalist Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882). Darwin is best known for his groundbreaking work on the theory of evolution by natural selection, outlined in his landmark book "On the Origin of Species" published in 1859.

Another notable bearer of the name was Darwin D. Martin (1865-1935), an American businessman and leading figure in the Larkin Company. He commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design several residential and commercial buildings, including the Darwin D. Martin House in Buffalo, New York, which is considered a masterpiece of Prairie School architecture.

In the world of literature, Darwin L. Teilhet (1904-1976) was an American writer and journalist who authored several novels and short stories, including "The Whisper of the Axe" and "The Horizontal Nightmare".

More recently, Darwin Enrique Quintero (born 1980) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who has played for various teams in Major League Baseball, including the Houston Astros and the San Francisco Giants.

While the name Darwin has its roots in Old English, it has gained global recognition and has been used across various cultures and regions, often as a tribute to the influential naturalist Charles Darwin and his groundbreaking scientific contributions.