Daryl

Pronunciation: [ d-EHR-uhl ]

Boy Name #2,002 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A Norman French surname turned all-American classic

English American French

Vintage Classic Strong Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"from Airelle (Norman village)"

Origin: Norman French

Language: English

"dear, beloved"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Associated with 'Darryl from The Walking Dead' (positive for fans)
Slightly dated 1970s-80s American name connotation

The Story of Daryl

Daryl (also Darrell, Darryl) is an English surname turned given name, derived from the Norman French 'd'Airelle' — meaning 'from Airelle,' a place in Calvados, Normandy. The Airelle family came to England with the Norman Conquest of 1066, and their surname gradually evolved into a given name. It may also have connections to Old English 'deor' meaning 'dear' or 'beloved.'

Daryl peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1950s-1970s, when working-class, accessible names like Daryl, Duane, and Gary were fashionable. It has declined significantly since then. The character Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead (since 2010) has kept the name culturally present for a new generation.

Daryl represents a distinctly mid-20th-century American name — solid, unpretentious, working-class in feel. It was boosted by musician Daryl Hall (Hall & Oates) in the 1970s-80s and has acquired a certain vintage credibility.

Fun Facts

Daryl Hall and John Oates formed one of the best-selling music duos of all time with hits like 'Rich Girl' and 'Sara Smile'
Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead is consistently voted one of the most beloved characters in TV history

Daryl in Other Languages

French Daryl / Darrell

German Daryl

Spanish Daryl

Portuguese Daryl

Famous People Named Daryl

Daryl Hannah

Actor

1960

American actress known for Splash, Kill Bill, and Blade Runner

Daryl Hall

Musician

1946

American rock and soul singer, one half of Hall & Oates, one of the best-selling music duos of all time

Daryl Dixon Fictional

Other

Fictional crossbow-wielding survivor and fan-favorite character in AMC's The Walking Dead franchise

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,002
Total SSA Count: 77
Cultural Origins: English American French
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Daryan #4871

Common Nicknames

Dar

Pairs Well With

Daryl James Daryl Wayne Daryl Lee Daryl Michael Daryl Eugene Daryl Ray

Sibling Names

Duane Randy Tammy Sheryl Kevin Brenda

Also a Girl Name

Daryl is also used as a girl name, ranked #13616.

View Daryl as a girl name →

Similar Names

Howard Arnold Archibald Reginald Gerald Oswald Terrell Darrell

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Daryl

What does the name Daryl mean?

"from Airelle (Norman village)" (from Norman French). "dear, beloved" (from Old English). Daryl (also Darrell, Darryl) is an English surname turned given name, derived from the Norman French 'd'Airelle' — meaning 'from Airelle,' a place in Calvados, Normandy. The Airelle family came to England with the Norman Conquest of 1066, and their surname gradually evolved into a given name. It may also have connections to Old English 'deor' meaning 'dear' or 'beloved.'

What is the origin of the name Daryl?

Daryl has Norman French, Old English, English, American, and French origins. In Norman French, it means "from Airelle (Norman village)". In Old English, it means "dear, beloved".

Is Daryl a boy or girl name?

Daryl is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2002. As a girl name, it is ranked #13616. Daryl is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Daryl?

Daryl is pronounced d-EHR-uhl.

How popular is the name Daryl?

Daryl is currently ranked #2002 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Daryl?

Common nicknames for Daryl include Dar.

What are good middle names for Daryl?

Popular middle name pairings include Daryl James, Daryl Wayne, Daryl Lee, Daryl Michael, Daryl Eugene, and Daryl Ray.

What are good sibling names for Daryl?

Names that pair well with Daryl as siblings include Duane, Randy, Tammy, Sheryl, Kevin, and Brenda.

How many syllables does Daryl have?

Daryl has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Daryl a common or rare name?

Daryl is an uncommon name, ranked #2002 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Daryl

Daryl is a boy name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "from Airelle (Norman village)" in Norman French .

Is Daryl a boy or girl name? Daryl is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,002 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #13,616. Daryl is more commonly used as a boy name.

Daryl is currently ranked #2,002 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Daryl has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-EHR-uhl, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Daryl include Dar. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Daryl include Daryan . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.