Dale
Dale is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Valley or dweller in the valley.
Origin and history
Dale is an English topographic name derived from the Old English word 'dæl', referring to a valley or dale. Originally used as a surname for someone living in a valley, it became established as a given name for both males and females in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the U.S., female usage peaked mid-century and has since become quite rare.
Popularity in the United States
21,887 babies in the United States have been named Dale since 1880. It ranks #998 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2082.
States where it is most popular
- NY (17.9 %)
- CA (7.7 %)
- NJ (7.3 %)
- MA (6.4 %)
- IL (6.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 13 |
| 1890-1900 | 80 |
| 1900-1910 | 118 |
| 1910-1920 | 459 |
| 1920-1930 | 791 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,456 |
| 1940-1950 | 5,586 |
| 1950-1960 | 8,641 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,029 |
| 1970-1980 | 850 |
| 1980-1990 | 436 |
| 1990-2000 | 265 |
| 2000-2010 | 105 |
| 2010-2019 | 39 |
| 2020-2029 | 19 |
Famous people named Dale
- Dale Evans: actress, singer
- Dale Messick: cartoonist, comic artist
Fun facts
- The name originally denoted someone who lived in or near a valley or dell.
- While more common for males, Dale was popular for females in the mid-20th century in the United States.