Darnell \d(a)-rne-ll, dar-nell\ as a girl's name (also used as boy's name Darnell), is pronounced dar-NELL. It is of Old English origin, and the meaning of Darnell is "hidden nook". Place name and surname. It might also have been influenced by the male name Darrel, or by the darnel plant, a type of grass once regarded as an intoxicant.

Darnell has 4 variant forms: Darnae, Darnelle, Darnetta and Darnisha.