Darl
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 1,819 recorded births. Also given to 63 girls.
Meaning & Origin
darling
Darl is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from darling or dearling meaning 'beloved' or 'dear one.' Used in Appalachian and Southern American communities, it has a quiet, intimate warmth — most memorably carried by Darl Bundren, the introspective narrator in William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying (1930).
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Darl is rooted in the Old English tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1911 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Darl’s 1,819 recorded births suggest it has found a niche — possibly within a specific cultural community, region, or naming subculture within the broader American landscape.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Darl has 78+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1911.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 22 | #8591 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 36 | #5194 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 100 | #4061 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 229 | #1789 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 330 | #1341 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 315 | #1239 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 360 | #1110 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 317 | #1371 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 110 | #2033 | — |
The Story of Darl
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1928, Darl is an elegant vintage name. Boys named Darl are most likely born between 1918 and 1938.
How rare is Darl?
With 1,819 total births on record, Darl remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1911, peaked in the 1930s with 360 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Darl by the numbers
- Would fill 38 school buses
- Meeting one Darl per day would take 5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(78 years, 1911–1999)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 5 | #10249 |
| 1993 | 7 | #6967 |
| 1992 | 5 | #8682 |
| 1991 | 5 | #8467 |
| 1985 | 5 | #6756 |
| 1983 | 7 | #5040 |
| 1982 | 9 | #4302 |
| 1981 | 6 | #5653 |
| 1980 | 9 | #4217 |
| 1979 | 5 | #6252 |
| 1978 | 5 | #6001 |
| 1977 | 7 | #4696 |
| 1976 | 9 | #3778 |
| 1975 | 6 | #4933 |
| 1974 | 14 | #2697 |
| 1973 | 5 | #5256 |
| 1972 | 15 | #2454 |
| 1971 | 18 | #2224 |
| 1970 | 16 | #2318 |
| 1969 | 19 | #1922 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Darl as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Darl has also been given to 63 girls in the U.S. since 1921.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Darl a boy's or girl's name?
When was Darl most popular?
How popular is the name Darl?
Can Darl be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1911–1999