| Darcy | Riley | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | dark one; or from Arcy (place name) — two origins | Valiant; rye clearing |
| Origin | irish | Irish |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Pronunciation | DAR-see | RY-lee |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 0 | 1923 |
| Peak year | 1970 (681) | 2016 (7,159) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 4,441 |
| Trend | Vintage | Steady |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Darcy | Riley |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,479 | 29,219 |
| 2010s | 1,742 | 56,150 |
| 2000s | 1,341 | 45,533 |
| 1990s | 1,888 | 10,234 |
| 1980s | 3,279 | 680 |
| 1970s | 4,985 | 72 |
| 1960s | 5,588 | 11 |
| 1950s | 2,706 | 18 |
| 1940s | 362 | 21 |
| 1930s | 33 | 11 |
| 1920s | 10 | 11 |
| 1910s | 5 | 0 |
Two distinct origins: as an Irish name it anglicizes O Dorchaidhe, from 'dorcha' meaning 'dark', giving 'dark one'; as an English/Norman name it is the aristocratic d'Arcy, a locational surname meaning 'from Arcy' in Normandy, with no 'dark' sense. Both are genuine; flag which is intended.
Riley has two strands: the Irish Ó Raghallaigh, linked to “valiant” or “courageous,” and an English place name meaning “rye clearing.”
Riley is more popular than Darcy today: about 4,441 US babies were given the name Riley in 2025, compared with 0 named Darcy.
Darcy means dark one; or from Arcy (place name) — two origins (irish origin), while Riley means Valiant; rye clearing (Irish origin).
In US records, Darcy first appears in 0 and Riley in 1923, so Darcy has the longer recorded history.