"from Airelle (Norman place name)"
Origin: Old French/Norman
Language: English
Darryl
Pronunciation: [ d-EHR-uhl ]
Does Darryl flow with your last name?
A Norman French name meaning from the beloved homeland
English
American
African-American
Classic
Vintage
Strong
Traditional
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Darryl
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Darryl
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"dear, beloved"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Darryl
See all →What the Darryl report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Darryl the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Darryl
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Darryl head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Darryl actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Darryl
Darryl is a variant of Darrell (also Daryl, Darrel), which originated as an English surname from the Norman French place name Airelle in Calvados, Normandy. The family who came from this place brought the name to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name also may have been reinforced by the Old English term for dear or beloved. From a surname, it evolved into a given name in the 20th century.
Darryl and its variants were popular in the US primarily in the 1950s-1970s, peaking in the mid-20th century. The name gained visibility through actor Daryl Hannah, baseball player Darryl Strawberry, and the beloved character Darryl from The Office. It represents a classic mid-century American name now associated with a particular generation.
Darryl represents the American tradition of Norman-French surnames becoming mainstream given names, common throughout the 20th century. In African-American naming traditions, Darryl was embraced alongside similar names like Terrell and Darnell as aspirational middle-class names of the 1960s-80s.
Historical Record
Darryl first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 84,734 babies have been named Darryl in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Darryl is past its peak , currently ranked #1,803 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Darryl Strawberry was one of the most talented baseball players of the 1980s, playing for the Mets and Yankees
- Darryl from The Office (played by Craig Robinson) became one of the most beloved characters in the show's run
Darryl in Other Languages
French
Darryl
English
Darrell
Spanish
Darryl
Popularity Over Time
#1,803
Current Rank
Peaked 1965
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Darryl
D
Darryl Strawberry
Athlete
1962
American baseball outfielder who was one of the most powerful hitters of the 1980s, playing for the Mets and Yankees
D
Daryl Hannah
Actor
1960
American actress known for Splash, Blade Runner, Kill Bill, and environmental activism
D
Darryl (The Office) Fictional
Other
Fictional warehouse foreman-turned-executive at Dunder Mifflin in The Office, played by Craig Robinson
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Lake
Boy
"a large inland body of water"
#1,633
Kashtyn
Boy
"creative modern variant of Ashton/Cashton"
#1,870
Pharaoh
Boy
"supreme ruler"
#1,760
Evian
Boy
"young warrior"
#1,944
Journey
Boy
"life's path, quest"
#1,832
Compare Darryl with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,803
- Total SSA Count
- 91
- Cultural Origins
- English American African-American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Dar
D
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Darryl
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Darryl fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Darryl is also used as a girl name, ranked #36834.
View Darryl as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Darryl →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Darryl with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Darryl
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Darryl and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Darryl sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Lake
Boy
Old French via Latin origin
"a large inland body of water"
#1,633 in US
Kashtyn
Boy
American English origin
"creative modern variant of Ashton/Cas..."
#1,870 in US
Pharaoh
Boy
Egyptian via Hebrew origin
"supreme ruler"
#1,760 in US
Evian
Boy
Celtic origin
"young warrior"
#1,944 in US
Journey
Boy
English word name origin
"life's path, quest"
#1,832 in US
Baylen
Boy
Old French origin
"from the bailey (castle wall)"
#1,731 in US
Ayce
Boy
English phonetic origin
"champion, expert"
#1,954 in US
Justus
Boy
Latin origin
"lawful, proper"
#1,814 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Darryl's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Darryl
What does the name Darryl mean?
"from Airelle (Norman place name)" (from Old French/Norman). "dear, beloved" (from Old English). Darryl is a variant of Darrell (also Daryl, Darrel), which originated as an English surname from the Norman French place name Airelle in Calvados, Normandy. The family who came from this place brought the name to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name also may have been reinforced by the Old English term for dear or beloved. From a surname, it evolved into a given name in the 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Darryl?
Darryl has Old French/Norman, Old English, English, American, and African-American origins. In Old French/Norman, it means "from Airelle (Norman place name)". In Old English, it means "dear, beloved".
Is Darryl a boy or girl name?
Darryl is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1803. As a girl name, it is ranked #36834. Darryl is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Darryl?
Darryl is pronounced d-EHR-uhl.
How popular is the name Darryl?
Darryl is currently ranked #1803 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Darryl?
Common nicknames for Darryl include Dar.
What are good middle names for Darryl?
Popular middle name pairings include Darryl James, Darryl Lee, Darryl Wayne, Darryl Eugene, Darryl Ray, Darryl Lynn, and Darryl Scott.
What are good sibling names for Darryl?
Names that pair well with Darryl as siblings include Terrell, Darnell, Marcus, Kevin, Tonya, Cheryl, and Darlene.
How many syllables does Darryl have?
Darryl has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Darryl a common or rare name?
Darryl is an uncommon name, ranked #1803 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Darryl?
About the Name Darryl
Darryl is a boy name with English, American, and African-American origins . The name means "from Airelle (Norman place name)" in Old French/Norman .
Is Darryl a boy or girl name? Darryl is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,803 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #36,834. Darryl is more commonly used as a boy name.
Darryl is currently ranked #1,803 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Darryl has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-EHR-uhl, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Darryl include Dar and D. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Darryl include Darren, Darrell, Darrius, Darrin, Darrion . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old French/Norman Names
Browse all names with this origin
D
Names Starting with D
More boy names like Darryl
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis