Darrel first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Darrel has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Darrel

A masculine given name of French origin meaning "wandering and free".

Popularity of Darrel by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Darrel is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Darrel being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 18 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Darrel.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 18 0
2022 20 0
2021 36 0
2020 21 0
2019 28 0
2018 29 0
2017 19 0
2016 22 0
2015 29 0
2014 48 0
2013 40 0
2012 35 0
2011 43 0
2010 34 0
2009 42 0
2008 47 0
2007 42 0
2006 57 0
2005 63 0
2004 42 0
2003 55 0
2002 49 0
2001 70 0
2000 71 0
1999 75 0
1998 75 0
1997 97 0
1996 86 0
1995 84 0
1994 94 0
1993 144 0
1992 130 0
1991 178 0
1990 173 0
1989 191 0
1988 185 0
1987 213 0
1986 179 0
1985 173 0
1984 175 0
1983 181 0
1982 175 0
1981 188 0
1980 204 0
1979 223 0
1978 205 0
1977 204 0
1976 209 0
1975 218 0
1974 252 5

The history of the first name Darrel

The name Darrel is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the Old English words "deor" meaning beloved or dear, and "ræl" meaning counsellor or adviser. It emerged in the medieval period, specifically during the 12th century, as a diminutive form of the name Darrell.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Darrel can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a landowner named Darrell is mentioned. This suggests that the name was in use among the Anglo-Saxon nobility before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

In the 13th century, a Darrel de Windesore was recorded as a knight and landowner in Berkshire, England. This indicates that the name was associated with the aristocracy and gentry during the Middle Ages.

During the Renaissance period, Darrel Glemham was a notable English landowner and Member of Parliament who lived from 1508 to 1589. He played a role in the political and religious turmoil of the 16th century, supporting the Protestant Reformation.

In the 17th century, Darrel Donne was a prominent English clergyman and author who lived from 1587 to 1637. He wrote several religious works and served as a chaplain to King James I.

Another notable bearer of the name was Darrel Wilkinson, a British naval officer who lived from 1719 to 1776. He served in the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War, earning the rank of Rear Admiral.

Moving into more recent history, Darrel Porter was an American professional baseball player who lived from 1952 to 2002. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball and was part of the Kansas City Royals team that won the World Series in 1985.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Darrel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Darrel, please contact us.

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"Darrel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/darrel-meaning-and-history/.

"Darrel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/darrel-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Darrel first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/darrel-meaning-and-history/.

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