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.
Pronunciation
British English
- Pronunced as DAH-ril (/ˈdɑrɪl/)
American English
- Pronunced as DARE-ul (/ˈdɑrəl/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Daryl
| Daryl Hannah is an American actress, director, and environmental activist who has appeared in more than a hundred films and TV shows since the 1970s. |
| Daryl Hall is an American singer-songwriter best known as the lead voice of the duo Hall and Oates, who also scored a solo hit with Dreamtime and hosts Live from Daryl's House. |
| Daryl Braithwaite is an Australian singer who fronted the band Sherbet before launching a successful solo career with chart-topping hits like "The Horses" and "You're My World." |
| Daryl Katz is a Canadian businessman who founded the Katz Group and owns the Edmonton Oilers. |
| Daryl Dragon was the American musician known as "Captain" in the pop duo Captain and Tennille, which he formed with his wife, Toni Tennille. |
| Daryl Dixon is an Australian investment writer and Executive Chairman of Dixon Advisory known for his personal finance columns in major newspapers. |
| Daryl Sabara is an American actor best known for playing Juni Cortez in the Spy Kids films, and he has kept working in film, television, and voice roles since his childhood. |
| Daryl Aiden Yow is a Singapore photographer and Instagram marketer who rose to fame shooting for style influencer Andrea Chong and has worked with brands like Sony and Uniqlo. |
| Sir Daryl Lindsay was an Australian painter who went on to serve as director of the National Gallery of Victoria. |
| Daryl Smith is a former NFL linebacker from Georgia Tech who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and later the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. |
| Daryl Mitchell is an English former cricketer who opened the batting for Worcestershire and became the club's captain in 2010. |
| Daryl Hecht served as a justice on the Iowa Supreme Court and as president of the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association. |
| Daryl Laub was a beloved Twin Cities television and radio personality who entertained Minnesota audiences from the 1950s until 1993 and created several memorable children's show characters. |
| Daryl Anderson is an American actor best known for playing photographer Dennis Price, nicknamed The Animal, on the TV series Lou Grant from 1977 to 1982. |
| Daryl Smith is a former NFL defensive back who played from 1985 to 1989 after a college career with the North Alabama Lions. |
