The city of Derna, also spelled Derne, was the historic capitol of the Libyan province of Cyrenaica. Cyrenaica was one of the richest provinces in the Barbary States, which was partly due to the amount of piracy in the area. In 1805 during the First Barbary War, after leading a mixed force of 500 Greek, Arab and Turkish mercenaries along with the help of U.S. marines and navy, William Eaton captured the city. This was the culminating action of the First Barbary War.

The present city of Darnah, Libya is on the location of Derna.