Darla
Pronounced: DAR-lah
Meaning: Dear one, beloved
Gender: Girl
Origin: Old English
Language: English (American)
What does Darla mean?
Darla is an English feminine name associated with the affectionate word darling, giving it the warm meaning of a dear one or beloved person. It has a bright, friendly sound and an openly affectionate quality without feeling overly elaborate.
The name has a distinctly vintage American character, helped by its association with child actor Darla Hood of the Our Gang comedies. Today, Darla feels sweet and playful, with enough confidence to suit parents looking for a familiar name that is less common than Daisy or Ella.
❤️ Why Parents Choose This Name
- It carries a loving, straightforward meaning.
- Its two syllables make it easy to say, spell and remember.
- It offers vintage charm without sounding formal.
- It is familiar but remains relatively uncommon.
- It has a cheerful, friendly sound that works well at every age.
Historical Context
Darla developed in English as a feminine form linked to darling, an affectionate word ultimately rooted in Old English dēorling, meaning a beloved person. It was also used as a short form of Darlene. Darla gained particular visibility in the United States during the early twentieth century, including through Darla Hood, who appeared in the Our Gang films.
Original Form
Usually Short For
Masculine form
Great Middle Names for Darla
Darla pairs especially well with crisp classics and longer, elegant middle names.
- Darla Claire
- Darla Jane
- Darla Josephine
- Darla Mae
- Darla Rose
- Darla Vivienne
Sibling names that go well with Darla
Choose warm, vintage-leaning sibling names with clear, friendly sounds.
Popularity of Darla over time
In 2025, Darla was given to 124 girls in the UK and 275 girls in the US. Darla has risen sharply over the last 20 years, and is now an uncommon girls' name in both the UK and the US.
What do parents think of Darla?
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