Derryl
Primarily a boy's name of Old French origin with 901 recorded births. Also given to 15 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Parents who choose Derryl tend to be looking for something that feels real but not common — a name with 901 recorded births and a peak of 44 in 1962, enough history to feel legitimate without being ordinary.
The sharp, distinct ending gives Derryl a direct, strong feel that works well in both playground and boardroom.
Derryl is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Derryl is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old French origin, a variant spelling of Darryl or Darrell, from the Norman French D'Airel, a place name possibly meaning 'from Airel' (a village in Normandy). The name became popular in America in the mid-20th century.
Derryl gives the familiar Darryl a slightly more unusual written form — the doubling of the R adding visual emphasis. It carries the same casual, American masculine energy as Darryl while marking its bearer's name as distinctly personalized by parents who wanted something slightly off the standard path.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Derryl is a boy's name with several decades of recorded use (1934–2008). Its Old French roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Though no longer in the top 1,000, Derryl’s 901 recorded births mean it has left a mark. Every name carries the accumulated identity of the people who have worn it — and Derryl has decades of that history.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Derryl has 64+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1934.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 28 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 64 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 76 | — |
| 1970s | 79 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 290 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 205 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 135 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 24 | — |
The Story of Derryl
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1962, Derryl is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Boys named Derryl are most likely born between 1952 and 1972.
How rare is Derryl?
With 901 total births on record, Derryl remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1934, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1960s with 290 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Derryl by the numbers
- Would fill 19 school buses
- Meeting one Derryl per day would take 2.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(64 years, 1934–2008)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 6 | #11413 |
| 2007 | 6 | #11280 |
| 2006 | 5 | #12499 |
| 2005 | 5 | #11893 |
| 2004 | 6 | #10298 |
| 1999 | 6 | #8991 |
| 1997 | 10 | #5752 |
| 1996 | 5 | #9356 |
| 1995 | 12 | #4874 |
| 1994 | 6 | #8015 |
| 1992 | 10 | #5331 |
| 1991 | 6 | #7516 |
| 1990 | 9 | #5483 |
| 1989 | 7 | #6391 |
| 1988 | 17 | #3104 |
| 1987 | 7 | #5644 |
| 1985 | 7 | #5290 |
| 1983 | 8 | #4612 |
| 1982 | 15 | #3007 |
| 1981 | 6 | #5676 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Derryl as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Derryl has also been given to 15 girls in the U.S. since 1947.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Derryl a boy's or girl's name?
When was Derryl most popular?
How popular is the name Derryl?
Can Derryl be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1934–2008