Darnell
English surname, from the noun darnel (“type of ryegrass”).
Every Darnell since 1912 — 31,018 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Darnell
Darnell is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,423 in 2025 with 56 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1912, 31,018 American babies have been named Darnell — about 92% boys and 8% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1984, when 770 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 Darnell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Darnell 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 | — | — | 56 | #2,423 |
| 2024 | — | — | 63 | #2,268 |
| 2023 | — | — | 85 | #1,869 |
| 2022 | — | — | 95 | #1,756 |
| 2021 | — | — | 102 | #1,636 |
| 2020 | — | — | 99 | #1,623 |
| 2019 | — | — | 128 | #1,389 |
| 2018 | — | — | 129 | #1,366 |
| 2017 | 5 | #16,481 | 150 | #1,224 |
| 2016 | — | — | 151 | #1,237 |
| 2015 | — | — | 150 | #1,224 |
| 2014 | — | — | 197 | #1,030 |
| 2013 | — | — | 191 | #1,023 |
| 2012 | — | — | 203 | #984 |
| 2011 | 5 | #17,439 | 238 | #878 |
| 2010 | — | — | 235 | #887 |
| 2009 | — | — | 284 | #791 |
| 2008 | — | — | 313 | #732 |
| 2007 | — | — | 325 | #713 |
| 2006 | — | — | 305 | #712 |
| 2005 | — | — | 289 | #707 |
| 2004 | — | — | 271 | #709 |
| 2003 | — | — | 291 | #672 |
| 2002 | — | — | 262 | #694 |
| 2001 | — | — | 264 | #683 |
| 2000 | — | — | 274 | #659 |
| 1995 | — | — | 395 | #515 |
| 1990 | 10 | #8,027 | 678 | #354 |
| 1985 | 17 | #4,500 | 674 | #305 |
| 1980 | 21 | #3,742 | 516 | #351 |
| 1975 | 34 | #2,368 | 456 | #361 |
| 1970 | 56 | #1,658 | 483 | #371 |
| 1965 | 67 | #1,340 | 339 | #422 |
| 1960 | 54 | #1,506 | 328 | #445 |
| 1955 | 49 | #1,448 | 337 | #395 |
| 1950 | 70 | #1,104 | 176 | #504 |
| 1945 | 44 | #1,191 | 56 | #840 |
| 1940 | 21 | #1,752 | 35 | #1,111 |
| 1935 | 11 | #2,609 | 33 | #1,148 |
| 1930 | — | — | 22 | #1,570 |
| 1925 | 11 | #2,984 | 19 | #1,819 |
| 1920 | 8 | #3,688 | 13 | #2,358 |
| 1915 | — | — | 13 | #2,094 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Darnell mean?
English surname, from the noun darnel (“type of ryegrass”).
How popular is the name Darnell in 2025?
Darnell ranked #2,423 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 56 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Darnell?
31,018 babies have been named Darnell in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Darnell most popular?
Darnell peaked in 1984, when 770 newborns received the name.
Is Darnell a boy or girl name?
Darnell is used for both: about 8% of babies named Darnell have been girls and 92% boys.
Is the name Darnell rising or falling?
Darnell is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.