The first name Darren
A boy’s name meaning “oak”.
Pronounced /ˈdæɹən/ 2 syllables Male
Meaning and origin
Darren means “oak”.
Unknown. A twentieth-century invention, possibly from a rare Irish surname of obscure meaning, possibly from Dara or Daragh, meaning "oak". It is also the name of an old silver mine near Aberystwyth, Wales. * The name became popular, particularly in the UK, because of a character in the 1960s American TV series Bewitched, actually spelled Darrin. * (person with sense of entitlement): As a rhyming equivalent for Karen.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 28 boys were named Darren, making it the 1,066th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 343 births (#123).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Darren with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Darren at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 187 boys born in the United States were named Darren, the 1,135th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1965, when 5,938 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Nicknames and spellings
Famous people named Darren
67 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Darren AronofskyAmerican filmmaker (born 1969)
- Darren CrissAmerican actor and singer, born 1987
- Darren BentEnglish association football player, born 1984
- Darren HayesAustralian pop singer, born 1972
- Darren AndertonEnglish footballer (born 1972)
- Darren StarAmerican television producer, writer, born 1961
- Darren CollisonAmerican basketball player (born 1987)
- Darren Lynn BousemanAmerican film director and screenwriter, born 1979
- Darren CampbellBritish sprinter (born 1973)
- Darren McGavinAmerican actor (1922–2006)
- Darren BarnetAmerican actor (born 1991)
- Darren CahillAustralian tennis player and coach, born 1965
Questions
- What does the name Darren mean?
- Darren means “oak”.
- How popular is the name Darren?
- In 2025, 28 boys born in England and Wales were named Darren, ranking 1,066th. Its peak was 1996, with 343 births.
- What are nicknames for Darren?
- Common nicknames for Darren include Dazza.
- Is Darren a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 104,506 US babies named Darren since 1880 were boys.
- When was Darren most popular?
- 1965 in the United States, when 5,938 babies were named Darren, its highest rank at 52nd.
- How do you pronounce Darren?
- Darren is /ˈdæɹən/, 2 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Darren?
- Daren, Darin and Darrin.