Name of the day: Darcy

Darcy, m. / f.

(Alternative spellings: Darcey, D'Arcy)

Meaning: from Arcy (in France)

The name I've picked today is Darcy, which is technically unisex but more and more just used for girls. This name used to have a very preppy, almost snobbish image but I feel that it has moved much more into mainstream naming culture recently. I work in a school and there are at least three Darcy's in the school which tells you something!

This name will be associated mainly with either Mr Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (of course!) or the ballerina Darcey Bussell. I actually would love his name for a boy because of the Mr Darcy link, but would never use it now because it has become so feminine. These connections give a feeling of culture and sophistication to the name. Definitely not an airy fairy, girly name.

I can imagine this name on a high flier, someone with influence and probably a little pretentious, despite it's growing use. The long -aah sound in the middle oozes middle-class-ness doesn't it?! 

If you like Darcy, you may like:

Eliza, Honor, Ruby, Rafferty, Hugo, Sebastian