Durrell is an uncommon given name of English origin, derived from the Old French word 'dure' meaning hard, tough, or strong. It is often considered a variant spelling of the more common name Derek. The name Durrell has been used in literature and popular culture, notably by author Gerald Durrell, who wrote the beloved 'My Family and Other Animals' series based on his childhood on the Greek island of Corfu. Despite its literary associations, Durrell remains relatively rare as a given name.
The name Durrell experienced a significant increase in popularity from the late 1970s onwards, with a notable peak in 1985 (149 births). However, there has been a steady decline since the early 1990s, with fewer than 20 births annually recorded since 2003. The total number of births for the name Durrell over this period is 1897.