Daryl

Meaning of Daryl

Daryl (pronounced DAH-ril in the UK and DARE-ul in the States) started out as a dashing Norman surname—“d’Airelle,” meaning “from Airelle,” a berry-blanketed corner of northern France—and sauntered into English-speaking first-name territory after the Middle Ages. Over the years it picked up a sentimental sheen from the Old English word “dearling,” so it carries a double dose of charm: part knightly passport stamp, part cozy endearment. Pop culture keeps the name lively—think soul-crooner Daryl Hall, NFL favorite Daryl “Moose” Johnston, or crossbow-wielding Daryl Dixon of The Walking Dead—proof that a Daryl can croon, crash through a defensive line, or outrun zombies with equal flair. In the U.S. charts, the name’s journey looks like a gentle roller-coaster: roaring up the rankings in mid-century baby booms and today settling comfortably just outside the top 800, perfect for parents who crave familiar yet uncommon. All told, Daryl feels like a friendly handshake across the centuries—classic, approachable, and ready for its next adventure.