Darrel
2025 SSA
Below 5 births
About Darrel
Darrel is a masculine name of Old French origin, derived from 'Darrell,' originally a surname meaning "open-hearted" or coming from the French place name d'Airelle. The name gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s when it reached its peak usage in the United States. Darrel conveys a sense of strength and reliability while maintaining a friendly, approachable quality. Often associated with the American heartland, the name projects masculine virtues without pretension. While its popularity has declined since its mid-century height, Darrel remains recognizable without being overly common. Variant spellings include Darrell, Darryl, and Daryl, with each form having its own subtle connotations and regional preferences.
Darrel for girls
Darrel as a feminine name is an unusual gender crossover from what is traditionally a masculine name. The conventional Darrel (also spelled Darrell or Darryl) derives from an Old French surname that originally meant 'open-hearted' or 'beloved.' While firmly established as a boy's name throughout the 20th century, its usage for girls is extremely rare. This gender-nonconforming application gives the name a modern, boundary-breaking quality when used for a female. The name retains its strong, straightforward phonetics regardless of gender, though as a feminine choice, it carries an unconventional edge that might appeal to parents seeking gender-neutral options or looking to honor a male relative named Darrel.
Pronounced DAR-ul.
As of October 2026, Darrel ranked #5435 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #243 in 1939.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #2,549 | 48 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #3,601 | 30 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #4,502 | 22 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #4,976 | 19 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | #3,724 | 29 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #3,817 | 28 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #4,569 | 21 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #3,193 | 37 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #4,888 | 20 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
Darrel on lists
Famous Darrels
- Darrel JacksonBoy
son of American rapper "Ice Cube"
Darrel in pop culture
- Darrel "Darry" CurtisBoy
character in the book/movie "The Outsiders"
- Darrel RiversGirl
main character in Enid Blyton's Malory Towers Series