Darvel is a unisex name of Scottish origin, meaning "from the oak wood". It is composed of two elements: "dair" meaning "oak", and "veal" meaning "wood". The name is believed to have been brought to Scotland by the Normans during their invasions in the 11th century. In Scotland, Darvel is often associated with the town of Darvel in East Ayrshire, which was originally known as "Dairfill" before being anglicized to its current form.
"The name Darvel experienced a resurgence in popularity from the late 1980s to the early 1990s, with an increased number of births during these years."