Darnel: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Darnel

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1986

36 babies

All-time total

1,052

#5,122 all-time among boys

First recorded

1937

in Social Security records

Darnel popularity over time

1,052 babies have been named Darnel since 1937, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	7	7	1	–	#2,968
1940s	–	12	12	1	+71%	#3,147
1950s	6	46	52	5	+333%	#2,873
1960s	35	133	168	17	+223%	#1,977
1970s	5	175	180	18	+7%	#1,888
1980s	–	218	218	22	+21%	#1,737
1990s	–	218	218	22	0%	#2,184
2000s	–	141	141	14	-35%	#3,446
2010s	–	48	48	5	-66%	#7,186
2020s (to 2025)	–	8	8	1	-72%	#9,005

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.

How old are people named Darnel?

The median living Darnel is about 39 years old; half are between 28 and 53. An estimated 1,000 people named Darnel are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

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

Quick answers about Darnel, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Darnel?

The median living Darnel is about 39 years old. Half of all living Darnels are between 28 and 53 years old.

How many people named Darnel are alive today?

An estimated 1,000 people named Darnel are alive in the United States, based on 1,052 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Darnel mean?

Spelling variant of Darnell.

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.

Names like Darnel

Names that sound and feel close to Darnel: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Darnel with similar names → More names starting with D →