Darling etymology

English

English word darling comes from English dear, English -ling, and later Middle English dereling (Darling.)

Detailed word origin of darling

Dictionary entry Language Definition
dear English (en) (obsolete) Fierce.. Severe, or severely affected; sore. Dearly; at a high price (obsolete) To endear. A beloved person. A very kind, loving person. (generally, _, dated) High in price; expensive.. (obsolete) Noble.. A formal way to start (often after my) addressing somebody one likes or regards kindly.. A formal way to start (possibly after my) addressing somebody at the beginning of a [...]
-ling English (en) A suffix forming diminutives with the meanings of:. A follower or resident of what is denoted by the original root or stem.. A small, immature, or miniature version of what is denoted by the main stem. An adverbial suffix denoting manner, direction or position.
dēorling Old English (ang)
dereling Middle English (enm) Darling.
darling English (en) Dear; cherished.. Charming (by extension) A person or thing very popular with a certain group.. A person who is dear to one.