Darrell Boy

Popularity: #841 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DARE-el //ˈdɛr.əl//

Origin: English; French

Meaning: English: beloved; French: to be dear

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Darrell has its roots in the Old French surname "Darell," which is derived from the Norman personal name "Darel," itself a diminutive of the name "Dare," meaning "beloved" or "dear." This name entered the English language following the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Norman names and surnames were adopted by the English populace. The transition from the surname to a given name occurred over several centuries, with the name becoming more common in England by the late Middle Ages.

Historically, the name Darrell has been associated with various notable figures, including members of the English gentry and nobility. One significant milestone in the name's history is its appearance in literary works, particularly during the Renaissance when names reflecting affection and endearment became popular.

The name has also been linked to the Darrell family, who were prominent in English history, particularly in the 15th and 16th centuries, contributing to its recognition. Culturally, the name Darrell has been associated with qualities of warmth and affection, resonating with its etymological roots.

It has been used in various forms of literature and art, often symbolizing loyalty and fondness. The name's diminutive form, Darry, has also been used historically, though it is less common.

Overall, Darrell reflects a blend of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, maintaining its relevance through its historical associations and the sentiments it evokes.

Famous people named Darrell

In this section, you will find notable people named Darrell. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Darrell who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Darrell who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Darrell Waltrip is a former NASCAR driver and commentator best known for winning three NASCAR Cup Series championships and his work with Fox Sports.

Darrell Hammond is an actor and comedian best known for his work on Saturday Night Live, as well as roles in films like Scary Movie 3 and 4.

Darrell Green is a former professional American football player best known for his career with the Washington Redskins and being a two-time Super Bowl champion.

Fictional characters named Darrell

The following list of fictional characters named Darrell is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Darrell Rivers is a fictional character from the book series Malory Towers by Enid Blyton. She is a determined and spirited girl who navigates the challenges of boarding school life.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Darrell, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

DarrenDariusDanteDamonDawsonDylan

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Darrell. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

DarylGarettHarrellMarrellTerrellJarrellKarell

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Darrell was first seen in the United States in 1886.

Darrell has ranked as high as #190 nationally, which occurred in 1958, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky.

In the past 5 years the name Darrell has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Darrell is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Darrell was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Darrell.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 97 97 0
2024 124 124 0
2023 110 110 0
2022 127 127 0
2021 130 130 0
2020 147 147 0
2019 170 170 0
2018 189 189 0
2017 240 240 0
2016 236 236 0
2015 226 226 0
2014 259 259 0
2013 286 286 0
2012 288 288 0
2011 343 338 5
2010 304 304 0
2009 317 317 0
2008 388 388 0
2007 416 416 0
2006 415 415 0
2005 405 405 0
2004 410 410 0
2003 400 400 0
2002 405 405 0
2001 461 453 8
2000 499 499 0
1999 545 545 0
1998 533 533 0
1997 561 556 5
1996 614 609 5
1995 633 628 5
1994 746 746 0
1993 883 876 7
1992 915 915 0
1991 1,020 1,020 0
1990 1,137 1,128 9
1989 1,221 1,206 15
1988 1,230 1,214 16
1987 1,242 1,232 10
1986 1,322 1,308 14
1985 1,334 1,324 10
1984 1,346 1,335 11
1983 1,354 1,332 22
1982 1,398 1,389 9
1981 1,371 1,361 10
1980 1,473 1,461 12
1979 1,556 1,527 29
1978 1,482 1,466 16
1977 1,670 1,656 14
1976 1,672 1,659 13
1975 1,695 1,672 23
1974 1,856 1,840 16
1973 2,000 1,977 23
1972 2,332 2,313 19
1971 2,842 2,814 28
1970 3,184 3,148 36
1969 3,280 3,249 31
1968 3,475 3,446 29
1967 3,680 3,652 28
1966 3,523 3,497 26
1965 3,908 3,888 20
1964 3,993 3,968 25
1963 4,125 4,097 28
1962 3,909 3,877 32
1961 4,225 4,203 22
1960 4,165 4,148 17
1959 4,665 4,647 18
1958 4,797 4,771 26
1957 4,594 4,570 24
1956 4,494 4,468 26
1955 3,919 3,902 17
1954 3,667 3,643 24
1953 3,163 3,149 14
1952 2,882 2,868 14
1951 2,760 2,746 14
1950 2,514 2,493 21
1949 2,539 2,517 22
1948 2,363 2,336 27
1947 2,302 2,285 17
1946 1,921 1,905 16
1945 1,537 1,522 15
1944 1,595 1,580 15
1943 1,547 1,529 18
1942 1,603 1,591 12
1941 1,544 1,530 14
1940 1,446 1,430 16
1939 1,354 1,340 14
1938 1,365 1,356 9
1937 1,277 1,260 17
1936 1,217 1,208 9
1935 1,164 1,153 11
1934 1,136 1,129 7
1933 1,034 1,026 8
1932 1,004 992 12
1931 844 834 10
1930 834 828 6
1929 711 698 13
1928 657 647 10
1927 610 603 7
1926 583 578 5
1925 528 523 5
1924 516 509 7
1923 468 462 6
1922 379 379 0
1921 375 370 5
1920 359 359 0
1919 291 291 0
1918 250 250 0
1917 241 241 0
1916 229 222 7
1915 231 231 0
1914 130 130 0
1913 116 116 0
1912 94 94 0
1911 38 38 0
1910 29 29 0
1909 15 15 0
1908 18 18 0
1907 23 23 0
1906 14 14 0
1905 11 11 0
1904 9 9 0
1903 8 8 0
1902 11 11 0
1901 7 7 0
1900 9 9 0
1899 8 8 0
1898 14 14 0
1897 10 10 0
1896 6 6 0
1895 5 5 0
1894 5 5 0
1893 5 5 0
1891 6 6 0
1890 5 5 0
1886 5 5 0

Top States for Darrell (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 18
23%
CA 10
13%
FL 9
11%
IL 8
10%
IN 6
8%
LA 6
8%
NC 6
8%
NY 6
8%
GA 5
6%
MI 5
6%