Dale
Dale is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Valley or dweller in the valley.
Origin and history
Dale is a classic English name derived from a topographic surname for someone living in or near a valley. It experienced widespread popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century. Today, it remains a recognizable traditional choice, though used less frequently for newborns.
Popularity in the United States
278,156 babies in the United States have been named Dale since 1880. It ranks #136 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1204.
States where it is most popular
- OH (8.4 %)
- MI (7.3 %)
- PA (6.6 %)
- CA (6.6 %)
- IL (6.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 121 |
| 1890-1900 | 281 |
| 1900-1910 | 672 |
| 1910-1920 | 8,218 |
| 1920-1930 | 22,752 |
| 1930-1940 | 32,536 |
| 1940-1950 | 46,815 |
| 1950-1960 | 75,567 |
| 1960-1970 | 50,423 |
| 1970-1980 | 18,065 |
| 1980-1990 | 10,487 |
| 1990-2000 | 6,213 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,629 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,593 |
| 2020-2029 | 784 |
Famous people named Dale
- Dale Earnhardt: race car driver, sports hall of fame inductee
- Dale Murphy: baseball player
- Dale Carnegie: author, lecturer
Fun facts
- It originated in Middle English from the Old English word 'dæl', used to describe individuals living near a valley.
- Dale reached its highest usage in the United States during the 1950s, consistently ranking among the top 50 boys' names.