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Darryl
Pronounced DAR-ihl /ˈdæɹ.ɪl/Medium
Meaning: From the Norman French surname 'd'Airelle' meaning 'from Airelle', a place in Calvados, Normandy; introduced to England after the Norman Conquest.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
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
The name began as a surname marking someone who came from Airelle in the Calvados region of Normandy. It crossed into England after the Norman Conquest and eventually became a first name. The many spellings, including Darrel, Darrell, and Daryl, all trace back to that same 'd'Airelle' origin.
It carries a mid-century North American flavor, helped along by bearers like the hockey star Darryl Sittler (born 1950). The variations Darell, Dariel, and Daryl show how flexibly the spelling has been handled.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Darryl Sittler (1950–present)Hockey player, position C, with the 1970-85 Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings.
- ★Darryl O'Young (1980–present)Male public figure listed on Behind the Name.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Darryl mean?
Darryl is a variant of Darrell, a Norman French surname from d'Airelle, meaning 'from Airelle' in Normandy. It is most often linked with English tradition.
How do you pronounce Darryl?
It's commonly said DAR-ihl /ˈdæɹ.ɪl/.
Is Darryl a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Darryl is used as a boy name.
How popular is Darryl?
In 2024, Darryl ranked #1788 in the U.S. for boys, with 91 births recorded.