"holding firm to goodness (feminine of Darius)"
Origin: Old Persian Darayavahush
Language: Persian
Darice
Pronunciation: [ d-AHR-ihs ]
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A regal Persian-rooted name with queenly grace
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Persian
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Bold
Vintage
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Meaning & Origin
"possessing goodness, kingly"
Origin: Persian royal name
Language: Persian
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The Story of Darice
Darice is a feminine elaboration of Darius, the ancient Persian name borne by three kings of the Achaemenid Empire. Darius derives from the Old Persian Darayavahush, a compound of daraya (to hold, to possess) and vahu (good), meaning he who holds firm to goodness. In Persian royal tradition, the name conveyed kingly authority and moral virtue. Darice feminizes this powerful ancient name with a softer ending.
Darice has been used primarily in African American communities as a feminine variation on the regal Darius. The name fits within a pattern of feminizing strong male names by adding a softer suffix, similar to how Denise relates to Denis.
Darius was the name of great Persian kings including Darius the Great, who expanded the Persian Empire and appears in the Bible. Darice carries this royal, ancient prestige in a feminine form with modern American appeal.
Historical Record
Darice first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,304 babies have been named Darice in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Darice is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #4,273 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Darius the Great ruled the largest empire in the ancient world at its height
- The Persian name Darayavahush means holding firm to goodness, a name of extraordinary moral aspiration
- Darius appears in the biblical Book of Daniel as a great king
Darice in Other Languages
Greek
Δαρεῖος
Arabic
داريوس
French
Darius
Persian
داریوس
Popularity Over Time
#4,273
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Darice
D
Darius the Great
Politician
King of the Achaemenid Persian Empire who expanded Persian rule to its greatest extent
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,273
- Total SSA Count
- 34
- Cultural Origins
- American African American Persian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Dari
Risa
Dee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Darice
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Darice is also used as a boy name, ranked #16392.
View Darice as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Darice
What does the name Darice mean?
"holding firm to goodness (feminine of Darius)" (from Old Persian Darayavahush). "possessing goodness, kingly" (from Persian royal name). Darice is a feminine elaboration of Darius, the ancient Persian name borne by three kings of the Achaemenid Empire. Darius derives from the Old Persian Darayavahush, a compound of daraya (to hold, to possess) and vahu (good), meaning he who holds firm to goodness. In Persian royal tradition, the name conveyed kingly authority and moral virtue. Darice feminizes this powerful ancient name with a softer ending.
What is the origin of the name Darice?
Darice has Old Persian Darayavahush, Persian royal name, American, African American, and Persian origins. In Old Persian Darayavahush, it means "holding firm to goodness (feminine of Darius)". In Persian royal name, it means "possessing goodness, kingly".
Is Darice a boy or girl name?
Darice is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #4273. As a boy name, it is ranked #16392. Darice is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Darice?
Darice is pronounced d-AHR-ihs.
How popular is the name Darice?
Darice is currently ranked #4273 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Darice?
Common nicknames for Darice include Dari, Risa, and Dee.
What are good middle names for Darice?
Popular middle name pairings include Darice Nicole, Darice Marie, Darice Simone, Darice Elise, Darice Lynn, and Darice Ann.
What are good sibling names for Darice?
Names that pair well with Darice as siblings include Denise, Candice, Clarice, Darius, Marcus, and Patrice.
How many syllables does Darice have?
Darice has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Darice a common or rare name?
Darice is an uncommon name, ranked #4273 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Darice?
About the Name Darice
Darice is a girl name with American, African American, and Persian origins . The name means "holding firm to goodness (feminine of Darius)" in Old Persian Darayavahush .
Is Darice a boy or girl name? Darice is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #4,273 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #16,392. Darice is more commonly used as a girl name.
Darice is currently ranked #4,273 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Darice has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AHR-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Darice include Dari, Risa, and Dee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Darice include Dariana, Daria, Dariela, Darianna, Dariyah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis