Darnel
Every Darnel since 1937 — 1,052 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Darnel
Darnel is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1937, 1,052 American babies have been named Darnel. Its peak came in 1986, when 36 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Darnel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Darnel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | 8 | #9,005 |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | 6 | #11,077 |
| 2017 | — | — | 11 | #7,205 |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | 5 | #12,493 |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | 6 | #11,041 |
| 2012 | — | — | 9 | #8,306 |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | 11 | #7,186 |
| 2009 | — | — | 13 | #6,512 |
| 2008 | — | — | 14 | #6,139 |
| 2007 | — | — | 12 | #6,721 |
| 2006 | — | — | 14 | #5,850 |
| 2005 | — | — | 15 | #5,348 |
| 2004 | — | — | 12 | #6,217 |
| 2003 | — | — | 8 | #8,013 |
| 2002 | — | — | 16 | #4,751 |
| 2001 | — | — | 13 | #5,442 |
| 2000 | — | — | 24 | #3,446 |
| 1995 | — | — | 23 | #3,038 |
| 1990 | — | — | 33 | #2,184 |
| 1985 | — | — | 16 | #2,974 |
| 1980 | — | — | 26 | #2,069 |
| 1975 | — | — | 14 | #2,784 |
| 1970 | 5 | #8,244 | 20 | #2,011 |
| 1965 | 5 | #6,730 | 10 | #2,653 |
| 1960 | — | — | 11 | #2,572 |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Darnel in 2025?
Darnel did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Darnel?
1,052 babies have been named Darnel in the United States since 1937, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Darnel most popular?
Darnel peaked in 1986, when 36 newborns received the name.
Is Darnel a boy or girl name?
Darnel is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 96% of babies with the name.
Is the name Darnel rising or falling?
Darnel is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.