Darrin

Darrin is a variant of the name Darren. The origin and meaning of Darren are uncertain, but several theories exist. It may be an Anglicized form of the Irish name Darragh or Dáire, meaning "oak tree." Alternatively, it could derive from a Gaelic surname meaning "great," or from a Welsh place name. Another possibility is that it is a variant of Darrell, which itself comes from a French surname.

History and Popularity

In the spelling Daren, the name was used by novelist Zane Grey for the central character in his 1922 novel The Day of the Beast. Grey may have been inspired by a rare Irish surname or created it as a variant of Darrell. The name was notably brought to public attention in the late 1950s by American actor Darren McGavin (1922–2006), born William Lyle Richardson. It was further popularized in the 1960s by the television character Darrin Stephens on the sitcom Bewitched, played by Dick York and later Dick Sargent. Though less common than Darren, Darrin continues to be used as a distinctive spelling.

Variant Forms

Related masculine variants include Daren, Darian, Darien, Darin, Darion, and Darren.

• Meaning: Uncertain; possibly "oak tree," "great," or a variant of Darrell
• Origin: Irish, Gaelic, Welsh
• Usage: English, primarily U.S.
• Gender: Masculine