The baby name Darnelle is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /dɑrˈnɛl/ (DAR-nell).
Darnelle is English in Origin.
The baby name Darnelle is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /dɑrˈnɛl/ (DAR-nell).
Darnelle is English in Origin.
Darnelle stems from the English surname Darnell/Darnall. One line of origin is locative, tied to Darnall in Yorkshire and traced to Old English derne “hidden, secret” + halh “nook, remote valley,” yielding the sense “hidden nook.” Another proposed root links the surname to Middle English darnel, the ryegrass known as “tares,” giving a subtle nature note. The -elle ending adds a French-leaning, feminine flourish, so Darnelle often serves as a stylistic counterpart to Darnell while remaining unisex. Related forms include Darnell, Darnel, Darnella, and the surname Darnall.
As a given name, Darnelle gained traction in the United States in the mid–late 20th century amid the rise of surname names. It appears for both genders, with Darnell more common for boys and Darnelle for girls, and has been especially used in African American communities. Pronunciation: dar-NELL. Usage today is recognizable yet uncommon.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | Girls | 0 | #237 | 1 | 7,146 |
| JM | Boys | 0 | #293 | 1 | 6,876 |
| MU | Girls | 0 | #360 | 3 | 8,539 |
| ZA | 0 | #474 | 1 | 14,421 | |
| CM | Girls | 0 | #554 | 7 | 11,671 |
| United States | Boys | 2022 | #904 | 5 | 7,226 |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,132 | 10 | 25,928 |
| CO | Girls | 0 | #1,152 | 1 | 16,140 |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,269 | 4 | 25,619 |
Darnelle is popular in 7 countries — most recent births per country:
Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!