Darnell
Darnell: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Darnell
Root meaning: “type of ryegrass”
- A male given name.
Etymology
English surname, from the noun darnel (“type of ryegrass”). Also a variant of Darnall. The given name is likely derived from the surname.
How popular is Darnell?
Since 1880, 2,387 girls and 28,631 boys in the U.S. have been named Darnell (8% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1073 in 1948. Its highest rank for boys was #281 in 1984. In 2025, 56 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Darnell
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Darnell
Names that peaked around the same time as Darnell and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Darnell FAQ
What does the name Darnell mean?
Darnell traces back to a root meaning "type of ryegrass". A male given name. English surname, from the noun darnel (“type of ryegrass”). Also a variant of Darnall. The given name is likely derived from the surname.
How popular is the name Darnell?
Since 1880, 2,387 girls and 28,631 boys in the U.S. have been named Darnell (8% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1073 in 1948. Its highest rank for boys was #281 in 1984. In 2025, 56 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Darnell a boy or girl name?
Darnell is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 2,387 girls and 28,631 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.