Dalton Boy

Popularity: #411 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DOL-ton //ˈdɔːltən//

Origin: English; Old English

Meaning: valley town; from the town in the valley

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Dalton has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "dæl," meaning "valley," and "tun," meaning "town" or "settlement." This etymological combination suggests a literal meaning of "valley town." The name likely originated as a surname, denoting individuals who lived in or were associated with a settlement in a valley. It first appeared in written records in England during the medieval period, with the surname Dalton being documented as early as the 12th century.

As surnames began to evolve into given names, Dalton transitioned into a first name in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking regions. Historically, the name Dalton has been associated with various notable figures and locations.

One significant milestone is the establishment of Dalton, a market town in North Yorkshire, England, which contributed to the name's geographical significance. Additionally, the name has been borne by various individuals throughout history, including members of the British aristocracy and notable figures in literature and politics.

The name's presence in historical texts and records has helped solidify its place in English heritage. Culturally, Dalton carries connotations of strength and stability, reflective of its geographical roots.

The imagery of a valley town evokes a sense of community and resilience, which has resonated through generations. The name has also been linked to various traditions and local histories, particularly in England, where it has been embraced in various forms.

While diminutive forms or variations of the name may exist, such as Dalt, the primary form has maintained its significance over the centuries, embodying a connection to the landscape and history of the regions where it has been used.

Famous people named Dalton

In this section, you will find notable people named Dalton. 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 Dalton who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Dalton 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.

Dalton Trumbo is a screenwriter and novelist best known for Roman Holiday, Spartacus, and Johnny Got His Gun.

Dalton McGuinty is a former U.S. President best known for his leadership in the state of California.

Fictional characters named Dalton

The following list of fictional characters named Dalton 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.

Dalton is a fictional character from the film Road House. He is a professional bouncer hired to clean up a rowdy bar in a small town.

Sibling suggestions

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

DylanDevinDerekDamianDustinDonovan

Similar names

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

DawsonDanteDorianDamonDariusDustin

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Dalton has ranked as high as #156 nationally, which occurred in 1998, and has been most popular in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Missouri, and Ohio.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Dalton 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 Dalton 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 Dalton.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 705 699 6
2024 738 732 6
2023 582 582 0
2022 574 574 0
2021 572 566 6
2020 646 638 8
2019 691 686 5
2018 804 799 5
2017 893 893 0
2016 1,057 1,050 7
2015 1,050 1,050 0
2014 1,125 1,118 7
2013 1,112 1,106 6
2012 1,239 1,232 7
2011 1,267 1,267 0
2010 1,337 1,332 5
2009 1,487 1,476 11
2008 1,743 1,736 7
2007 1,849 1,836 13
2006 1,951 1,939 12
2005 2,256 2,256 0
2004 2,486 2,454 32
2003 2,865 2,857 8
2002 3,297 3,284 13
2001 3,909 3,895 14
2000 4,470 4,445 25
1999 4,561 4,541 20
1998 4,590 4,565 25
1997 4,262 4,238 24
1996 3,999 3,980 19
1995 4,219 4,191 28
1994 4,267 4,245 22
1993 3,409 3,393 16
1992 2,917 2,900 17
1991 2,369 2,357 12
1990 1,576 1,571 5
1989 407 402 5
1988 221 215 6
1987 204 199 5
1986 159 159 0
1985 129 129 0
1984 107 107 0
1983 108 108 0
1982 93 93 0
1981 87 87 0
1980 74 74 0
1979 70 70 0
1978 52 52 0
1977 76 76 0
1976 56 56 0
1975 48 48 0
1974 62 62 0
1973 70 70 0
1972 73 73 0
1971 94 94 0
1970 90 90 0
1969 108 108 0
1968 80 80 0
1967 88 88 0
1966 64 64 0
1965 54 54 0
1964 103 103 0
1963 83 83 0
1962 85 85 0
1961 75 75 0
1960 91 91 0
1959 95 95 0
1958 97 97 0
1957 98 98 0
1956 94 94 0
1955 102 102 0
1954 92 92 0
1953 97 97 0
1952 119 119 0
1951 122 122 0
1950 99 99 0
1949 118 118 0
1948 125 125 0
1947 128 128 0
1946 131 131 0
1945 104 104 0
1944 115 115 0
1943 137 137 0
1942 126 126 0
1941 140 140 0
1940 128 128 0
1939 123 123 0
1938 118 118 0
1937 140 140 0
1936 150 150 0
1935 162 157 5
1934 143 143 0
1933 143 143 0
1932 159 159 0
1931 145 145 0
1930 143 143 0
1929 136 131 5
1928 128 128 0
1927 161 161 0
1926 150 145 5
1925 177 177 0
1924 145 140 5
1923 138 138 0
1922 159 159 0
1921 147 147 0
1920 143 143 0
1919 123 123 0
1918 106 106 0
1917 113 113 0
1916 126 121 5
1915 93 93 0
1914 66 66 0
1913 61 61 0
1912 50 50 0
1911 23 23 0
1910 22 22 0
1909 15 15 0
1908 16 16 0
1907 13 13 0
1906 8 8 0
1905 11 11 0
1904 8 8 0
1903 9 9 0
1902 13 13 0
1900 16 16 0
1898 7 7 0
1897 7 7 0
1896 7 7 0
1895 11 11 0
1894 13 13 0
1893 8 8 0
1892 5 5 0
1890 5 5 0
1889 6 6 0
1885 8 8 0
1884 6 6 0
1881 5 5 0

Top States for Dalton (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
TX 69
10%
CA 50
7%
NC 43
6%
OH 35
5%
NY 33
5%
GA 29
4%
PA 28
4%
TN 26
4%
UT 25
4%
MI 25
4%
VA 24
3%
FL 23
3%
IN 22
3%
SC 16
2%
MD 16
2%
CO 15
2%
NJ 15
2%
AL 15
2%
MO 15
2%
KY 14
2%
WI 14
2%
AZ 13
2%
LA 13
2%
WA 13
2%
OR 12
2%
MN 11
2%
MS 10
1%
IL 10
1%
NH 9
1%
MA 9
1%
DE 8
1%
AK 8
1%
CT 7
1%
NV 7
1%
KS 5
1%
NE 5
1%
WV 5
1%