Dala Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DAH-lah //ˈdɑː.lə//
Origin: Arabic; Scandinavian
Meaning: Arabic: 'nurturing'; Scandinavian: 'valley'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Dala has roots in multiple linguistic traditions, with its earliest forms traceable to the Arabic word "dalā", which means "to guide" or "to lead." This term has influenced various cultures and languages, leading to adaptations in different regions. In some interpretations, Dala is also associated with the Hebrew word "dal", meaning "to be weak" or "to be poor," which has been used in biblical contexts to denote humility and vulnerability.
The name's journey into English is less direct, as it likely entered through cultural exchanges and translations rather than a single linguistic pathway. Historically, the name Dala does not have prominent figures or events directly associated with it in the same way that many other names do.
However, it can be linked to the broader cultural and religious narratives found in Arabic and Hebrew traditions. The use of names derived from these languages can often be found in religious texts and literature, particularly during the medieval period when translations of the Bible and other significant works began to circulate widely.
The influence of Arabic culture during the Islamic Golden Age also contributed to the dissemination of names like Dala across various regions, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East. Culturally, Dala carries connotations of guidance and support, reflecting the meanings embedded in its etymological roots.
This symbolic resonance may have contributed to its endurance in various cultures, where names are often chosen for their meanings and the virtues they represent. While diminutive forms or variations of Dala may exist in different cultures, the name itself maintains a straightforward elegance that has allowed it to persist through centuries, embodying a sense of strength in gentleness.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Dala, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dala. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Dala was first seen in the United States in 1920.
Dala has ranked as high as #1012 nationally, which occurred in 1951, and has been most popular in Kansas.
In the past 5 years the name Dala has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Dala is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Dala was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Dala (1950)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| KS | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Dala.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 1998 | 5 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1984 | 9 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1982 | 6 |
| 1981 | 6 |
| 1979 | 6 |
| 1977 | 6 |
| 1976 | 7 |
| 1974 | 8 |
| 1970 | 6 |
| 1969 | 9 |
| 1968 | 6 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1965 | 10 |
| 1964 | 8 |
| 1963 | 9 |
| 1962 | 9 |
| 1960 | 8 |
| 1959 | 9 |
| 1958 | 8 |
| 1957 | 10 |
| 1956 | 5 |
| 1955 | 6 |
| 1954 | 7 |
| 1953 | 6 |
| 1952 | 6 |
| 1951 | 13 |
| 1950 | 12 |
| 1929 | 6 |
| 1920 | 6 |