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 Roya mean?
Roya means “dream” or “vision” in Persian.
Darya vs Roya
Which is more popular?
Roya is more popular than Darya today: about 76 US babies were given the name Roya in 2025, compared with 43 named Darya.
| Darya | Roya | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | The sea | Dream, vision |
| Origin | persian | Persian |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | DAHR-yah | ROH-yah |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1961 | 1955 |
| Peak year | 2007 (50) | 2025 (76) |
| In 2025 | 43 | 76 |
| Trend | Steady | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Darya
Roya
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Darya | Roya |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 253 | 343 |
| 2010s | 387 | 392 |
| 2000s | 358 | 219 |
| 1990s | 198 | 275 |
| 1980s | 52 | 234 |
| 1970s | 81 | 99 |
| 1960s | 31 | 42 |
| 1950s | 0 | 19 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Darya or Roya more popular?
Roya is more popular than Darya today: about 76 US babies were given the name Roya in 2025, compared with 43 named Darya.
What is the difference between Darya and Roya?
Darya means The sea (persian origin), while Roya means Dream, vision (Persian origin).
Which name is older, Darya or Roya?
In US records, Darya first appears in 1961 and Roya in 1955, so Roya has the longer recorded history.