Atanyyazow speculates that dargan might be from an Arabic-origin root referring to "boat" or "hull" (the city is on the Amu Darya) but finds the suffix ata ("father") inexplicable.

[5] The place developed out of the Khorezm settlement of Dargan; however, the modern city lies about 3 km north.

[5] On 27 July 2016, the erstwhile town was upgraded to a city; over a year later, on 5 November 2017, its Soviet-era name of Darganata was restored.

The Darganata Mausoleum (c. 14th c.) stands between the modern town and the walled perimeter of the ancient settlement; according to local tradition, it is the tomb of Abu Muslim.

[5] However, this appears to be untrue since contemporary sources record that Muslim's mutilated body was thrown in the River Tigris.