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Daryl Unisex

Popularity: #847 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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

Origin: English; French

Meaning: English: beloved; French: dear

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Daryl has its roots in the Old French name "D'Airelle," which means "from Airelle." This name was derived from the word "airelle," referring to a type of berry, specifically the bilberry or huckleberry. The transition of the name into English occurred during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Old French names were adopted into the English language.

Over time, the name evolved into various forms, including Daryl, which became more standardized in the 20th century. Historically, the name Daryl gained prominence in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.

It is often associated with the mid-20th century cultural milieu, including literature and film. Notably, the name was popularized by the character Daryl Dixon from the television series "The Walking Dead," which began airing in the early 2010s.

However, its roots can be traced back to earlier usages, where it appeared in various forms in literature and records, although specific historical figures bearing the name are less documented. Culturally, Daryl has been associated with qualities such as strength and resilience, likely influenced by its usage in popular media.

The name has also been linked to various diminutive forms, such as Darry, which have appeared in informal contexts. While the name Daryl may not have the same historical weight as some biblical or royal names, its evolution reflects broader trends in naming practices and cultural influences throughout the centuries.

Famous people named Daryl

Daryl Hannah is an actress best known for Splash, Blade Runner, and Kill Bill.
Daryl Strawberry is a former professional baseball player best known for his time with the New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Daryl Hall is a musician best known as a member of Hall & Oates, known for hits like Maneater and Rich Girl.
Daryl Sattler is a professional wrestler best known for his work in various independent wrestling promotions.
Daryl McCormack is an actor best known for his roles in Peaky Blinders, Bad Sisters, and the film Good Luck to You, Leo Grande.

Fictional characters named Daryl

Daryl Dixon is a fictional character from the comic book series and TV show The Walking Dead. He is a skilled hunter and tracker who becomes a key member of the survivor group.

Sibling suggestions

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U.S. Historical Usage

The name Daryl was first seen in the United States in 1912. Daryl has ranked as high as #350 nationally, which occurred in 1956, and has been most popular in California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. In the past 5 years the name Daryl has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Daryl (2024)

State Births Share
NY 9
33%
PA 7
26%
CA 6
22%
NC 5
19%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
191213
19136
191422
191530
191616
191732
191835
191939
192051
192167
1922199
192395
1924102
192595
1926126
1927117
1928106
1929122
1930134
1931124
1932154
1933172
1934158
1935134
1936207
1937229
1938242
1939288
1940333
1941331
1942336
1943361
1944370
1945392
1946600
1947735
1948855
1949977
1950976
19511,117
19521,183
19531,354
19541,469
19551,535
19561,832
19571,693
19581,787
19591,559
19601,653
19611,682
19621,576
19631,610
19641,529
19651,429
19661,330
19671,341
19681,513
19691,605
19701,793
19711,593
19721,200
19731,028
1974954
1975840
1976896
19771,000
1978839
1979871
1980763
1981770
1982719
1983656
1984633
1985715
1986689
1987679
1988649
1989567
1990499
1991488
1992422
1993409
1994354
1995310
1996291
1997293
1998242
1999211
2000233
2001199
2002181
2003175
2004161
2005185
2006178
2007165
2008163
2009136
2010111
2011104
201299
2013138
2014139
2015160
2016142
2017130
201899
201974
202095
202192
202278
202375
202477