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Darnell Unisex

Popularity: #863 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationDAR-nel / /ˈdɑːrnɛl/

English; French

Meaning

English: hidden; French: from the thorny place

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Darnell has its roots in the Old French word "darnel," which refers to a type of grass, specifically the ryegrass that is often considered a weed. This term likely derives from the Latin "darniola," a diminutive form of "darnus," which means "to make strong or firm." The transition of the name into English occurred during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Old French words and names were adopted into the English language, particularly in the context of agriculture and land management.

Historically, Darnell has been used as both a surname and a given name. The earliest recorded instances of the name appear in England during the medieval period, where it was often associated with landowners and agricultural communities. In the 14th century, the name began to appear in various documents, including land grants and legal records, reflecting the importance of agriculture in medieval society. The name's connection to the earth and farming may have contributed to its use in various regions of England.

Culturally, Darnell has been associated with themes of resilience and strength, drawing from its etymological roots related to fortitude. The name has also been linked to the natural world, symbolizing growth and sustenance. Additionally, the name has a diminutive form, "Darny," which has been used informally, although it is less common. Overall, Darnell's historical significance and its ties to the agrarian lifestyle have allowed it to endure through the centuries as a name with deep cultural resonance.

Trend Summary

Darnell experienced moderate popularity in the mid-20th century but has seen a decline in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Darnel

International Variants

Famous people named Darnell

Darnell Dockett is a former American football defensive end best known for playing with the Arizona Cardinals and Florida State Seminoles.

Darnell McDonald is a former professional baseball outfielder best known for playing with the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds.

Fictional characters named Darnell

Darnell is a fictional character from the video game series Grand Theft Auto. He is a member of the gang known as the Families and plays a significant role in the storyline of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Darnell was first seen in the United States in 1912. Darnell has ranked as high as #547 nationally, which occurred in 1984, and has been most popular in Illinois, New York, California, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Darnell has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Darnell (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 10
48%
MI 6
29%
IL 5
24%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19129
19135
191513
19166
19179
191810
191911
192013
192115
192225
192315
192430
192519
192623
192718
192820
192919
193022
193128
193216
193330
193429
193533
193624
193735
193835
193942
194035
194146
194236
194342
194452
194556
194674
194765
1948109
1949118
1950176
1951215
1952274
1953273
1954291
1955337
1956307
1957346
1958392
1959358
1960329
1961354
1962354
1963360
1964386
1965339
1966353
1967390
1968385
1969439
1970483
1971473
1972468
1973468
1974428
1975456
1976473
1977518
1978566
1979495
1980516
1981492
1982539
1983644
1984741
1985674
1986692
1987689
1988652
1989656
1990678
1991564
1992532
1993443
1994469
1995395
1996412
1997354
1998354
1999313
2000274
2001264
2002262
2003291
2004271
2005289
2006305
2007325
2008313
2009284
2010235
2011238
2012203
2013191
2014197
2015150
2016151
2017150
2018129
2019128
202099
2021102
202295
202385
202461