According to the U.S. baby name data, male usage of the name Darian increased in the late 1980s and early 1990s:
- 1991: 271 baby boys named Darian [rank: 619th]
- 1990: 259 baby boys named Darian [rank: 632nd]
- 1989: 190 baby boys named Darian [rank: 717th]
- 1988: 100 baby boys named Darian [rank: 963rd]
- 1987: 82 baby boys named Darian
What was influencing the name?
College football player Darian Hagan, who was a quarterback for the University of Colorado for four years (1988-1991).
In 1989 and 1990, Hagan led the Buffaloes to two 11-win seasons and two appearances at the Orange Bowl (both times against Notre Dame). The Buffs lost the initial Bowl game, but narrowly won the rematch, after which they were named the consensus national champions.
Darian Hagan went on to play professional football in Canada for several years (1993-1996).
While the name Darian was rarely bestowed upon baby girls in the late ’80s, its female usage did increase by more than a factor of three in 1988 specifically. Why? Likely because of female character Darien Taylor (played by Daryl Hannah) from the movie Wall Street, released in late 1987. Usage of the spelling Darien also more than tripled that year.
What are your thoughts on the name Darian? Do you like it better as a girl name, or as a boy name?
Sources: Darian Hagan – Wikipedia, 1990 National Champions – University of Colorado Athletics, Wall Street (1987 film) – Wikipedia, SSA
Image: Clipping from the Rocky Mountain News (23 Dec. 1991)