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Home › Baby Names Directory › Darrel

Darrel

♂ Boy

Pronounced DAIR-əl /ˈdɛr.əl/High

Meaning: Single-l spelling of Darrell — from a Norman-French surname, 'from Airelle' (a place in Normandy)Medium

In 30 seconds: From Airelle: Darrel spells Darrell — a Norman place-name. Vintage, friendly, and warm.
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Origin MediumFrench, English
MeaningSingle-l spelling of Darrell — from a Norman-French surname, 'from Airelle' (a place in Normandy)
U.S. rank (2025)#5435 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births17 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1960
Total births (all-time)≈ 29,766

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196019002025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Darrel is a single-l spelling of Darrell — from a Norman-French surname, d'Airelle, 'from Airelle' (a place in Calvados, Normandy). A vintage, friendly name (popular in the mid-20th century); the spelling personalizes it (nickname Dare or Dell).

It registers thinly today. Rare now, from-Airelle at the root, and vintage.

Did you know? Darrell comes from a Norman-French surname, 'from Airelle' (a place in Normandy) — Darrel is a single-l spelling, vintage and friendly (nickname Dare).
Overall data confidence 68%
Behind the Name — Darrell — root etymology

Variations

DarrellDarylDarryl

Nicknames

Dare

Famous Bearers

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If you like Darrel…

Darrell— the standard spelling
Daryl— a fellow spelling
Darryl— a companion spelling
Denzel— echoes that soft -el sound
Ansel— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Darrel

By themeenglishsurname-namefrenchvintage

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Darrel mean?

Darrel spells Darrell — a Norman-French surname, 'from Airelle' (a place in Normandy).

How do you pronounce Darrel?

It's said DAIR-əl /ˈdɛr.əl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Darrel a boy or girl name?

Darrel is a boy's name.

How popular is Darrel?

Darrel is a rare name in the U.S. today.

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