Dale Boy

Popularity: #809 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DAYL //deɪl//

Origin: English; Old English

Meaning: valley; dweller in the valley

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Dale has its roots in Old English, derived from the word "dael," which means "valley." This term was used to describe a low area of land between hills, and it reflects the geographical features of the English landscape. The name entered the English lexicon during the early medieval period, when surnames began to develop from topographical features.

As a surname, it was often given to individuals who lived near or in a valley, eventually transitioning into a given name by the 19th century. Historically, the name Dale has been associated with various figures and places throughout England.

While it does not have a direct biblical or royal connection, its use as a surname can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appeared in various forms. The name gained further recognition in literature and culture during the 19th century, particularly in the context of English pastoral poetry, which often celebrated the beauty of valleys and rural landscapes.

This literary association contributed to the name's appeal as a given name. Culturally, Dale evokes imagery of nature and tranquility, resonating with themes of pastoral life and the English countryside.

The name has been embraced in various forms, including the diminutive "Dally," which has been used affectionately in some regions. The enduring nature of the name Dale can be attributed to its simplicity and the positive connotations associated with valleys, symbolizing peace and shelter.

Overall, Dale reflects a deep connection to the English landscape and heritage, embodying both a geographical and cultural significance.

Famous people named Dale

In this section, you will find notable people named Dale. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Dale who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Dale who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Dale Carnegie is an author and lecturer best known for How to Win Friends and Influence People, The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking, and How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.

Dale Earnhardt is a race car driver best known for his seven NASCAR Cup Series championships and his iconic status in motorsports.

Dale Murphy is a former professional baseball player best known for his time with the Atlanta Braves and winning two National League MVP awards.

Dale Chihuly is an artist best known for his glass sculptures and installations, including the Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle.

Dale Watson is a singer-songwriter best known for his contributions to the Americana and country music genres.

Fictional characters named Dale

The following list of fictional characters named Dale is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Dale Cooper is a fictional character from the TV series Twin Peaks. He is an FBI agent investigating the murder of a young woman in the small town of Twin Peaks.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Dale, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

KyleGaleNateJakeTroyShane

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dale. 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.

DaleenDalonDalenDaxDaneDamonDavisDarinDerekDustin

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Dale was first seen in the United States in 1881.

Dale has ranked as high as #90 nationally, which occurred in 1958, and has been most popular in Ohio, Michigan, California, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Dale has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Dale 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 Dale was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Dale.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 134 129 5
2024 149 149 0
2023 135 130 5
2022 115 115 0
2021 139 130 9
2020 131 131 0
2019 118 118 0
2018 132 127 5
2017 155 150 5
2016 181 173 8
2015 177 177 0
2014 186 181 5
2013 157 146 11
2012 165 165 0
2011 166 166 0
2010 195 190 5
2009 225 225 0
2008 271 261 10
2007 292 284 8
2006 297 290 7
2005 333 323 10
2004 362 353 9
2003 422 408 14
2002 479 466 13
2001 634 612 22
2000 419 407 12
1999 452 442 10
1998 505 483 22
1997 521 503 18
1996 575 555 20
1995 595 570 25
1994 691 650 41
1993 669 641 28
1992 740 703 37
1991 786 759 27
1990 944 907 37
1989 888 855 33
1988 914 883 31
1987 969 931 38
1986 1,023 980 43
1985 1,134 1,093 41
1984 1,076 1,032 44
1983 1,147 1,096 51
1982 1,184 1,132 52
1981 1,296 1,248 48
1980 1,292 1,237 55
1979 1,320 1,274 46
1978 1,386 1,323 63
1977 1,409 1,360 49
1976 1,558 1,480 78
1975 1,589 1,528 61
1974 1,758 1,688 70
1973 1,877 1,802 75
1972 2,159 2,062 97
1971 2,686 2,545 141
1970 3,173 3,003 170
1969 3,342 3,154 188
1968 3,408 3,257 151
1967 3,704 3,537 167
1966 4,205 3,985 220
1965 4,655 4,397 258
1964 5,475 5,158 317
1963 6,067 5,700 367
1962 6,744 6,365 379
1961 7,641 7,193 448
1960 8,211 7,677 534
1959 8,872 8,343 529
1958 9,087 8,502 585
1957 8,531 7,866 665
1956 8,554 7,720 834
1955 8,183 7,182 1,001
1954 8,534 7,439 1,095
1953 8,403 7,350 1,053
1952 8,525 7,417 1,108
1951 7,890 6,963 927
1950 7,629 6,785 844
1949 7,104 6,229 875
1948 6,946 6,091 855
1947 6,753 5,936 817
1946 5,686 5,024 662
1945 4,444 3,957 487
1944 4,422 3,990 432
1943 4,680 4,235 445
1942 4,249 3,863 386
1941 4,115 3,791 324
1940 4,002 3,699 303
1939 3,811 3,531 280
1938 3,899 3,690 209
1937 3,522 3,340 182
1936 3,589 3,393 196
1935 3,427 3,274 153
1934 3,356 3,241 115
1933 2,990 2,925 65
1932 3,224 3,140 84
1931 3,083 3,008 75
1930 3,091 2,994 97
1929 2,733 2,664 69
1928 2,726 2,640 86
1927 2,592 2,503 89
1926 2,477 2,398 79
1925 2,386 2,302 84
1924 2,494 2,396 98
1923 2,258 2,172 86
1922 2,103 2,041 62
1921 2,029 1,956 73
1920 1,745 1,680 65
1919 1,501 1,428 73
1918 1,564 1,491 73
1917 1,305 1,248 57
1916 1,218 1,161 57
1915 1,134 1,081 53
1914 724 691 33
1913 500 472 28
1912 406 371 35
1911 176 150 26
1910 149 125 24
1909 115 102 13
1908 117 100 17
1907 83 73 10
1906 75 66 9
1905 76 65 11
1904 65 53 12
1903 63 56 7
1902 77 63 14
1901 49 40 9
1900 70 54 16
1899 51 41 10
1898 47 40 7
1897 49 39 10
1896 43 36 7
1895 37 26 11
1894 38 28 10
1893 25 18 7
1892 30 22 8
1891 22 17 5
1890 19 14 5
1889 19 19 0
1888 21 15 6
1887 18 11 7
1886 17 17 0
1885 25 25 0
1884 10 10 0
1883 11 11 0
1882 7 7 0
1881 6 6 0

Top States for Dale (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
OH 14
17%
TX 12
15%
FL 9
11%
PA 8
10%
MI 7
9%
WA 6
7%
NC 6
7%
VA 5
6%
GA 5
6%
IN 5
6%
WI 5
6%