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Darrell Boy

Popularity: #801 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationDARE-el / /ˈdɛr.əl/

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.

Trend Summary

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

Similar Names

Variants

  • Darell
  • Darrel

International Variants

  • Darel (Arabic)
  • Dario (Italian)

Famous people named Darrell

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

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

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Darrell was first seen in the United States in 1886. Darrell has ranked as high as #189 nationally, which occurred in 1958, and has been most popular in California, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Missouri. In the past 5 years the name Darrell has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Darrell (2024)

StateBirthsShare
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%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18865
18905
18916
18935
18945
18955
18966
189710
189814
18998
19009
19017
190211
19038
19049
190511
190614
190723
190818
190915
191029
191138
191294
1913116
1914130
1915231
1916222
1917241
1918250
1919291
1920359
1921370
1922379
1923462
1924509
1925523
1926578
1927603
1928647
1929698
1930828
1931834
1932992
19331,026
19341,129
19351,152
19361,208
19371,260
19381,356
19391,340
19401,430
19411,530
19421,591
19431,529
19441,580
19451,522
19461,905
19472,285
19482,336
19492,518
19502,494
19512,745
19522,868
19533,149
19543,644
19553,902
19564,468
19574,571
19584,770
19594,647
19604,149
19614,202
19623,878
19634,094
19643,969
19653,890
19663,496
19673,652
19683,446
19693,248
19703,148
19712,814
19722,311
19731,978
19741,840
19751,672
19761,660
19771,655
19781,466
19791,528
19801,462
19811,361
19821,391
19831,332
19841,335
19851,324
19861,308
19871,232
19881,213
19891,207
19901,128
19911,020
1992915
1993876
1994746
1995628
1996609
1997556
1998533
1999545
2000499
2001453
2002405
2003400
2004410
2005405
2006415
2007416
2008388
2009317
2010304
2011338
2012288
2013286
2014259
2015226
2016235
2017240
2018189
2019169
2020147
2021130
2022127
2023110
2024123