UK boy's name
Darnel
A masculine name derived from the darnell weed or darnel grass.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Darnel is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Darnel popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4527, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 10 births.
This profile covers 73 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1996 to 2009. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 30% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 72 living people in the UK are called Darnel. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Darnel ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales in 2009, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 10 boys were registered as Darnel.
- • About 72 living people in the UK are estimated to have Darnel as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4527
2009
Births in 2009
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
10 births
Estimated living
72
2026
Meaning
What does Darnel mean?
The name Darnel traces its origins to the Old English word "dærnel," which referred to a type of weed known as the darnel ryegrass. This plant was a significant pest in medieval times, often found growing among wheat and other cereal crops. The name likely emerged as a nickname or descriptive term for someone who lived near fields plagued by this weed.
During the Anglo-Saxon period in England, the name Darnel appeared in various forms, including Dærnel, Dernell, and Dernill. It was a relatively uncommon name but was documented in several historical records from the 8th to the 11th centuries.
One of the earliest known references to the name Darnel can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name is recorded as "Dernell" in this document, suggesting its use at the time.
In the 13th century, a Franciscan friar named Darnel of Bury St. Edmunds (c. 1230-1290) gained recognition for his theological writings and sermons. His work, "De Nativitate Christi," was widely circulated in medieval England.
Another notable figure bearing the name Darnel was Sir Darnel Wyvill (c. 1400-1470), a member of the English gentry from Yorkshire. He served as a soldier and diplomat during the Wars of the Roses and was knighted for his service to the House of Lancaster.
During the Renaissance period, a Dutch painter named Darnel van Heil (c. 1510-1575) achieved recognition for his intricate still-life paintings and portraits. His works can be found in various museums across Europe, including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
In the 17th century, Darnel Masterson (1634-1705) was an influential Puritan minister and author in colonial New England. He published several books on religious doctrine and was a prominent figure in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
While the name Darnel has fallen out of common use in modern times, it remains a part of historical records and literature, reflecting its unique connection to the natural world and the rich tapestry of cultural heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Darnel over time
The chart below shows babies named Darnel registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2009. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Darnel, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2009, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Darnel by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Darnel was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #2713 | 45 | 8 |
| 1990s | #1766 | 28 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Darnel
- Daniel 120,900
- Dylan 60,836
- David 37,852
- Dominic 20,480
- Declan 11,657
- Dexter 11,627
- Danny 8,434
- Dean 5,329
- Dillon 4,113
- Douglas 3,773
- Dominik 3,494
- Damian 3,486
FAQ
Darnel: questions and answers
How popular is the name Darnel in the UK right now?
In 2009, Darnel was ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Darnel most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 10 babies registered as Darnel in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Darnel?
A masculine name derived from the darnell weed or darnel grass.
How many people are called Darnel in the UK?
A total of 73 babies have been registered as Darnel across the 12 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.