Declining since 1988, #8,243 for boys today.
Popularity of Derrell since 1909
Babies named Derrell per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 56 |
| 1920s | 199 |
| 1930s | 415 |
| 1940s | 496 |
| 1950s | 719 |
| 1960s | 710 |
| 1970s | 674 |
| 1980s | 1,017 |
| 1990s | 779 |
| 2000s | 434 |
| 2010s | 295 |
| 2020s | 65 |
Meaning & origin
Derrell entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1909, but its most notable period of popularity occurred in the 1980s, when it reached its peak rank in 1987. Since 1988, its usage has declined steadily, and by 2025 it ranked 8,243rd with a frequency of 1 in 189,786 births. The name is a modern English variant of Darrell, itself from a Norman French surname. Like many names ending in '-ell' that rose in the mid-20th century, Derrell has a melodic, surname-derived quality. Despite its rarity today, it remains in use as a distinctive choice.
Derrell is likely a modern English variant of Darrell, which derives from the Norman French surname d'Airelle, meaning 'of Airelle'. The name may also be influenced by the Old English element 'deore' meaning 'beloved'. It emerged in the United States in the early 20th century and saw peak usage in the 1980s.
Where Derrell is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Derry, D
Sibling names for Derrell
Names that share Derrell's style, for a brother or sister.
