What does Mahsa mean?
Mahsa means “like the moon” in Persian.
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.
Mahsa vs Darya
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.
| Mahsa | Darya | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Like the moon | The sea |
| Origin | Persian | persian |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | MAH-sah | DAHR-yah |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1983 | 1961 |
| Peak year | 2022 (49) | 2007 (50) |
| In 2025 | 28 | 43 |
| Trend | Rising | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Mahsa
Darya
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Mahsa | Darya |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 211 | 253 |
| 2010s | 67 | 387 |
| 2000s | 15 | 358 |
| 1990s | 46 | 198 |
| 1980s | 12 | 52 |
| 1970s | 0 | 81 |
| 1960s | 0 | 31 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Mahsa or Darya 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 Mahsa and Darya?
Mahsa means Like the moon (Persian origin), while Darya means The sea (persian origin).
Which name is older, Mahsa or Darya?
In US records, Mahsa first appears in 1983 and Darya in 1961, so Darya has the longer recorded history.