"he who holds firm the good"
Origin: Old Persian
Language: Persian
Darius
Pronunciation: [ d-er-EYE-uhs ]
Boy Name
#746 Most Popular
Steady
3 Syllables
A Persian king's name with global staying power
Persian
Greek
Roman
American
African American
Royal
Classic
Strong
Sophisticated
Bold
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Darius
Darius comes from the Old Persian name 'Dārayavahush,' which has been interpreted as combining 'dāra' (possessing, holding) and 'vahu' (goodness, virtue), giving 'possessing goodness' or 'he who holds firm the good.' The name was famously borne by three great kings of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, most notably Darius I (the Great), who expanded the empire from Greece to India and oversaw the construction of Persepolis.
Darius has been popular in African American communities since the 1970s, chosen for its regal, classical quality and its distance from Anglo-European naming conventions. It also carries the gravitational pull of one of history's most powerful emperors, giving bearers a name with genuine historical weight.
In Persian culture, Darius (Dariush) is one of the most revered royal names — Darius the Great transformed the Achaemenid Empire into one of the ancient world's most sophisticated governments, introducing standardized weights, measures, and a postal system. In the US, Darius has become particularly associated with the African American community and with the musician Darius Rucker.
Fun Facts
- Darius I of Persia (550-486 BC) created one of history's first organized postal systems, inspiring the USPS motto: 'Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night...'
- The name Darius has been borne by three kings of Persia, two kings of Media, and one king of Pontus — a truly royal pedigree
Darius in Other Languages
Greek
Δαρείος
Latin
Darius
Arabic
داريوس
French
Darius
German
Darius
Persian
داریوش
Famous People Named Darius
D
Darius Rucker
Musician
1966
American musician, lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish and successful solo country artist
D
Darius I
Royalty
550
Darius the Great, King of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, who expanded it to its greatest extent and built Persepolis
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #746
- Total SSA Count
- 343
- Cultural Origins
- Persian Greek Roman American African American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Dare
Dary
Pairs Well With
Darius James
Darius Emmanuel
Darius Cole
Darius Antoine
Darius Malik
Darius Andre
Darius Xavier
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Darius is also used as a girl name, ranked #35550.
View Darius as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Darius
What does the name Darius mean?
"he who holds firm the good" (from Old Persian). Darius comes from the Old Persian name 'Dārayavahush,' which has been interpreted as combining 'dāra' (possessing, holding) and 'vahu' (goodness, virtue), giving 'possessing goodness' or 'he who holds firm the good.' The name was famously borne by three great kings of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, most notably Darius I (the Great), who expanded the empire from Greece to India and oversaw the construction of Persepolis.
What is the origin of the name Darius?
Darius has Old Persian, Persian, Greek, Roman, American, and African American origins. In Old Persian, it means "he who holds firm the good".
Is Darius a boy or girl name?
Darius is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #746. As a girl name, it is ranked #35550. Darius is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Darius?
Darius is pronounced d-er-EYE-uhs.
How popular is the name Darius?
Darius is currently ranked #746 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Darius?
Common nicknames for Darius include Dare and Dary.
What are good middle names for Darius?
Popular middle name pairings include Darius James, Darius Emmanuel, Darius Cole, Darius Antoine, Darius Malik, Darius Andre, and Darius Xavier.
What are good sibling names for Darius?
Names that pair well with Darius as siblings include Cyrus, Xerxes, Leila, Jasmine, Persia, Titan, and Amara.
How many syllables does Darius have?
Darius has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Darius a common or rare name?
Darius is moderately common, ranked #746 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Darius
Darius is a boy name with Persian, Greek, Roman, American, and African American origins . The name means "he who holds firm the good" in Old Persian .
Is Darius a boy or girl name? Darius is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #746 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #35,550. Darius is more commonly used as a boy name.
Darius is currently ranked #746 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Darius has 3 syllables and is pronounced d-er-EYE-uhs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Darius include Dare and Dary. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Darius include Dariel, Dario, Darian, Darien, Darion . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.