Darrel vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Darrel

Boy #5,336 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"from Airelle (beloved place)"

Origin: Norman French

Cultural Roots

American English African-American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,336
Total SSA Count
18
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Dare, Rel

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Darrel →

James

Boy #5 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"supplanter, one who follows at the heel"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Scottish Biblical

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5
Total SSA Count
11,793
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Jim, Jimmy, Jamie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for James →

Popularity Comparison

Darrel Rank #5,336
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #5336 for Darrel.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Darrel ___

  • Darrel James
  • Darrel Wayne
  • Darrel Eugene
  • Darrel Allen
  • Darrel Scott
  • Darrel Lee

James ___

  • James Alexander
  • James William
  • James Thomas
  • James Edward
  • James Henry
  • James Patrick

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Darrel

Brenda Debra Dwayne Terrence Cheryl

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Darrel or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Darrel at #5336 in the United States.

What do Darrel and James mean?

Darrel means "from Airelle (beloved place)" (Norman French origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Darrel and James boy or girl names?

Darrel is primarily a boy name. James is primarily a boy name.

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