Darrel

Variation of Darrell, French

"dear one, beloved"

Darrel Origin and Meaning

The name Darrel is a girl's name.

Darrel as a feminine name is an unusual gender crossover from what is traditionally a masculine name. The conventional Darrel (also spelled Darrell or Darryl) derives from an Old French surname that originally meant 'open-hearted' or 'beloved.' While firmly established as a boy's name throughout the 20th century, its usage for girls is extremely rare. This gender-nonconforming application gives the name a modern, boundary-breaking quality when used for a female. The name retains its strong, straightforward phonetics regardless of gender, though as a feminine choice, it carries an unconventional edge that might appeal to parents seeking gender-neutral options or looking to honor a male relative named Darrel.

The name Darrel in Pop Culture

• Darrel Rivers main character in Enid Blyton's Malory Towers Series