Daria is the feminine form of the ancient Persian name Darius. It is used in many languages, including Croatian, English, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, and Medieval Latin variants. The name ultimately derives from the Old Persian royal name Darayavauš, meaning "possessing goodness" or "holding good." This referred to three ancient kings of Persia, most notably Darius the Great, who expanded the Achaemenid Empire and fought the Battle of Marathon. History and Religious Significance In Christianity, Saint Daria was a 3rd-century Roman woman martyred with her husband Chrysanthus under the emperor Numerian. Her story, though legendary, cemented Daria as a saint's name in the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic traditions. This contributed to its use in Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia, where the form Darya (or closer transcription of the Cyrillic Да́ша) became more common. The variant spelling Darya is often used in Ukrainian and English contexts. Usage and Popularity Daria has never been a particularly widespread English given name, remaining relatively rare. It saw some rise in the United States, especially among African-American communities, and regained recognition due to the 1990s animated series Daria, featuring a cynical, intelligent protagonist. In Croatia and Slovenia, the forms Darija or Darja are more common. The name has diminutive Dasha in Russian, and other related forms include Finnish Tarja and Greek Dareia.