What does Darya mean?
From Persian daryā meaning 'sea' or 'large body of water'. Distinct from Daria (feminine of Darius), though the two are often confused.
What does Mahsa mean?
Mahsa means “like the moon” in Persian.
Darya vs Mahsa
Which is more popular?
Darya is more popular than Mahsa today: about 43 US babies were given the name Darya in 2025, compared with 28 named Mahsa.
| Darya | Mahsa | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | The sea | Like the moon |
| Origin | persian | Persian |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | DAHR-yah | MAH-sah |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1961 | 1983 |
| Peak year | 2007 (50) | 2022 (49) |
| In 2025 | 43 | 28 |
| Trend | Steady | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Darya
Mahsa
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Darya | Mahsa |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 253 | 211 |
| 2010s | 387 | 67 |
| 2000s | 358 | 15 |
| 1990s | 198 | 46 |
| 1980s | 52 | 12 |
| 1970s | 81 | 0 |
| 1960s | 31 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Darya or Mahsa more popular?
Darya is more popular than Mahsa today: about 43 US babies were given the name Darya in 2025, compared with 28 named Mahsa.
What is the difference between Darya and Mahsa?
Darya means The sea (persian origin), while Mahsa means Like the moon (Persian origin).
Which name is older, Darya or Mahsa?
In US records, Darya first appears in 1961 and Mahsa in 1983, so Darya has the longer recorded history.