The name Darl is of English origin, derived from the Old English word 'deorling', which means 'darling' or 'beloved'. It was initially used as a nickname or term of endearment but has evolved over time to become a given name for both boys and girls. Spelling variants include Darly, Darley, and Darlene. The name Darl is not particularly common, adding to its uniqueness.
The name Darl seems to have been quite popular during the early-to-mid 20th century, with a significant number of births recorded annually between 1911 and 1967. The peak years were 1926 to 1932, with over 40 births each year. However, there was a marked decline in popularity towards the end of the century, with fewer than 10 births per year recorded from 1973 onwards. Despite this decrease, the name Darl has still been given to at least five children every year since 1911, with a total of 1819 births recorded over this period.