Darnelle is a unique and distinctive given name of African American origin. It is derived from the Swahili word "daraja," which means "bridge." The name Darnelle is believed to have been created during the Black Power movement in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s, as a way to celebrate African culture and heritage.
Despite its recent creation, Darnelle has gained popularity over the years and has been used for both boys and girls. However, it is more commonly associated with females. The name is often spelled in various ways, including Darneille, Darneil, or even Darneel, but the most common spelling is Darnelle.
There is no specific historical figure or event associated with the name Darnelle. Its meaning and origin make it a powerful and meaningful name that reflects its African heritage. Today, Darnelle continues to be used as a unique and distinctive given name, often chosen by parents who wish to honor African culture and tradition.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Darnelle has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States. The peak years for this name appear to be from 1983 to 1995, with a high of 20 births in both 1984 and 1986.
Interestingly, after reaching its peak, the number of babies named Darnelle fluctuated significantly. For instance, there were only 6 births each year from 1997 to 1999, but then rose again to 7 births in 2000 before dropping back down to 6 births in 2001.
More recently, the popularity of this name has seen a slight resurgence. There were 7 births in both 2003 and 2007, and again in 2016. However, it dipped once more to just 5 births each year in 2004 and 2022.
Overall, the total number of births with the name Darnelle in the United States from 1963 to 2022 is 362. This data shows that while the popularity of this name has varied over time, it remains a unique choice for parents looking for something distinctive for their child's name.