Darnell
Boy name · #2425 in 2025 · Uniqueness 87/100
Darnell is currently the #2425 boy name in the United States — 56 babies received it in 2025. A decade ago it stood at #1223, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 32,143 boys born in 2025 was named Darnell.
Babies named Darnell per year, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
The 113-year story
Darnell first appears in the Social Security records in 1912, when 9 boys received the name. Its peak came in 1984, when 741 boys were named Darnell — good for #281 that year. Today's parents encounter it as a name from their grandparents’ generation, which is precisely the vintage window from which names get revived. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Darnell against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Darnell in class?
Darnell scores 87 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "rare" band. A high score means genuine rarity — your Darnell will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Darnell is most common
Geography matters for names, and Darnell is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Darnells were TX (6), NJ (5), OH (5). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
Names like Darnell
Statistically, parents drawn to Darnell tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Donnell, Darell, Terrell, Marcell, and Kendell.
DonnellDarellTerrellMarcellKendellTyrellCordellMitchell
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Darnell | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 56 | #2421 |
| 2024 | 63 | #2261 |
| 2023 | 85 | #1868 |
| 2022 | 95 | #1750 |
| 2021 | 102 | #1635 |
| 2020 | 99 | #1621 |
| 2019 | 128 | #1386 |
| 2018 | 129 | #1364 |
| 2017 | 150 | #1219 |
| 2016 | 151 | #1234 |
| 2015 | 150 | #1223 |
| 2014 | 197 | #1028 |
| 2013 | 191 | #1020 |
| 2012 | 203 | #983 |
| 2011 | 238 | #877 |
| 2010 | 235 | #886 |
| 2009 | 284 | #791 |
| 2008 | 313 | #732 |
| 2007 | 325 | #712 |
| 2006 | 305 | #712 |
| 2005 | 289 | #707 |
| 2004 | 271 | #709 |
| 2003 | 291 | #672 |
| 2002 | 262 | #693 |
| 2001 | 264 | #683 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Darnell a popular boy name?
Darnell ranked #2425 among boys in 2025 with 56 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #1223.
When was the name Darnell most popular?
Darnell peaked in 1984, when 741 American boys received the name (ranked #281 that year). Since 1984 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Darnell?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 32,143 newborn American boys was named Darnell. It scores 87/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "rare".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.