Dare (name)

Dare, as a given name and a surname, has multiple origins and meanings.

As a Given Name:

• English Origin: Dare is sometimes used as a masculine given name, derived from the word "dare," suggesting boldness or courage. Its usage as a given name is relatively rare.
• Biblical Connection: In some interpretations, Dare can be linked to Darius, a biblical name of Persian origin, meaning "possessing goodness" or "wealthy."

As a Surname:

• English Origin: As a surname, Dare has several possible origins. It could be topographic, referring to someone who lived near an oak tree ("dar" being an archaic word for oak). It could also be locational, derived from a place name containing "Dare" or a similar element.
• Cornish Origin: The surname Dare is also found in Cornwall, where it's believed to be a derivative of the Cornish word "dar", meaning oak or wood. It may have denoted someone who lived near a prominent oak or in a wooded area.
• Welsh Origin: Possible connection to Welsh surnames with similar sounds or origins.

Distribution and Usage:

The surname Dare is found primarily in English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. Its frequency varies by region. The given name Dare is less common than the surname.

Notable People:

• Virginia Dare: The first English child born in the Americas, in 1587. Her disappearance with the rest of the Roanoke Colony is one of America's oldest unsolved mysteries.
• There may be other notable individuals with the surname or given name "Dare," but Virginia Dare is the most historically significant.

Variations:

Variations of the surname may include Darr, Dares, and similar forms.