Darrell is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English words "beorh" and "hlāf", which mean "hill" and "loaf" respectively. It translates to "dweller by the hill-shaped loaf". Although the exact origin of the name Darrell is unclear, it is believed to have been a surname before becoming a given name.
The name Darrell first appeared in England during the Middle Ages, where it was likely used as a nickname for someone who lived near a hill or had a round, loaf-like appearance. Over time, the name became more commonly used as a given name rather than a surname.
Today, Darrell is still a popular name in English-speaking countries, although its popularity has fluctuated over the years. It was particularly popular during the mid-20th century but has since declined somewhat in usage. Despite this, Darrell remains a strong and distinctive name with a unique and interesting origin story.
In terms of cultural significance, there are no major historical figures or events associated with the name Darrell. However, it is worth noting that the name has been used by several notable individuals throughout history, including American actor Darrell Hammond and British author D.H. Lawrence (whose full name was David Herbert Lawrence).
The name Darrell has seen a significant fluctuation in popularity over the years in the United States, as indicated by the provided statistics on annual births from 1886 to 2023.
From 1886 to around 1920, the number of babies named Darrell remained relatively low and steady, with an average of about five births per year. However, starting in the early 1920s, there was a notable increase in popularity for the name Darrell. In 1923 alone, the number of births jumped to 462, marking the beginning of a significant rise in popularity.
This upward trend continued throughout the 1920s and 1930s, with peaks reaching as high as 1,591 births in 1942. The name Darrell remained quite popular during the post-World War II era, with thousands of babies receiving this name each year.
However, after peaking in 1956 with 4,469 births, the popularity of the name Darrell began to decline steadily over time. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the number of annual births with the name Darrell had dropped below 2,000.
This downward trend continued into the 1990s and beyond, with fewer than 500 babies named Darrell each year between 1997 and 2016. In recent years, the popularity of the name has decreased further, with only 110 births recorded in 2023.
In total, from 1886 to 2023, there have been 159,543 babies named Darrell born in the United States. Despite its fluctuating popularity over time, Darrell remains a notable and historically significant name choice for parents in America.