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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Beloved, dearly loved
- Origin
- English
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- DAR-ling
Darling carries an English meaning of "beloved, dearly loved," making it a name that wears its warmth right on the surface. It's been recorded in U.S. birth data going back to 1920, though it has always stayed on the rare side. If you're drawn to a name that says exactly what it means, Darling fits the bill.
Meaning & Origin of Darling
Meaning: Beloved, dearly loved.
Origin: English.
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Darling
DAR-lingIPA /ˈdɑːrlɪŋ/
Popularity of Darling
Darling reached its best-ever U.S. ranking of #3002 back in 1948, when 12 babies were given the name; by 2024 it had slipped to #3339, even though the count of babies named Darling rose to 47.
Names Like Darling
Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.
FAQ
What does the name Darling mean?
Beloved, dearly loved. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Darling?
Darling is pronounced DAR-ling (IPA: /ˈdɑːrlɪŋ/).
Is Darling a popular name right now?
Darling is near its all-time peak (#3002 in 1948), ranked #3339 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1920–2024.)
Make Darling Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Darling, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Darling? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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