Gender-Neutral Name · Surname Origin
Darby
Darby means “Settlement”. It is a gender-neutral name of Surname origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Darby — a neutral name from the Surname tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Settlement", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Darvin is on your shortlist, Darby belongs in the same conversation.
Darby meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Settlement
Origin: Surname naming roots help connect Darby to related Surname baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Darby as D·A·R·B·Y, with 5 letters and a gender-neutral usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Darby is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Darby variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Darbya, Darbye, Darbyy, Darb.
- Nicknames: Dar and D.
- Middle names: Pair Darby with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Darby middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Darvin, Darel, Darek, Daris, Darol — full picks on the sibling names for Darby guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Darby? Browse our names like Darby guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Darby
What does the name Darby mean?
Darby means "Settlement" and is of Surname origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Darby is used as a neutral name.
What is the origin of Darby?
Darby originates in Surname naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Darby?
Darby has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Darby a boy's or girl's name?
Darby is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Darby in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Darby sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Darby?
Names that share Darby's sound and style include Darvin, Darel, Darek, Daris, Darol.
What middle names pair well with Darby?
Good middle-name fits for Darby pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Darby is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Darby is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Darby?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Darby share its rhythm without rhyming — Darvin, Darel, Darek all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.