Darius
Male namePersian
✨ Meaning
Darius is the Greek form of the Old Persian Darayavahush, generally read as 'holding firm the good' or 'he who holds fast to what is good,' from elements meaning to hold and good. Unlike many royal names whose meaning is guesswork, this one is reasonably well attested in Persian inscriptions, which makes it one of the clearest statements of intent in any ancient name.
🌍 Origin
Darius I ruled the Achaemenid Empire at its height, built Persepolis and organised the road system that held the empire together. The name appears in the Book of Daniel, which carried it into Christian use, and it has been steadily popular in the United States as well as in Iran, Romania and Lithuania, each of which has its own local form.
📈 Popularity Trend
⭐ Famous People Named Darius
- Darius the Great
- Darius Rucker
- Darius Milhaud
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does Darius mean?
Darius means 'holding firm the good,' from Old Persian elements meaning to hold and good.
Is Darius a biblical name?
A ruler named Darius appears in the Book of Daniel, which brought the name into Christian naming traditions.
How is Darius pronounced?
In English both duh-RY-us and DARE-ee-us are heard. The Persian form Dariush is pronounced dar-YOOSH.