The name Daryl is an English given name derived from the Old English word "deor" meaning "deer" or "beloved." It gained popularity in the late 19th century as a masculine name, although its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages.

The earliest recorded use of the name Daryl dates back to the 13th century in England. One of the first known individuals with this name was Daryl of Winchester, a monk who lived in the early 1200s and authored several religious texts.

In the 14th century, the name was associated with a legendary figure named Daryl the Huntsman, who was said to be an expert archer and tracker. This association with hunting and the wilderness may have contributed to the name's enduring popularity in rural areas of England and Scotland.

During the Renaissance period, the name Daryl gained some prominence among the nobility. One notable figure was Sir Daryl Coventry (1509-1580), an English courtier and diplomat who served under Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the name Daryl appeared in literary works, such as the play "The Merry Wives of Windsor" by William Shakespeare, where a character named Daryl is mentioned.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the name Daryl was relatively uncommon, but it experienced a resurgence in popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One famous bearer of the name was Daryl F. Zanuck (1902-1979), an American film producer and co-founder of 20th Century Fox.

Other notable individuals named Daryl include Daryl Hall (born 1946), an American singer-songwriter best known as part of the duo Hall & Oates, and Daryl Hannah (born 1960), an American actress known for her roles in films like "Splash" and "Kill Bill."

In the world of sports, Daryl Strawberry (born 1962) was a former professional baseball player who played for the New York Mets and the New York Yankees, while Daryl Morey (born 1972) is a former NBA executive and current president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers.