Dale

“valley.”

American origin · Unisex name

♂ 93% boys♀ 7% girls

#1414US 2023

129Births / yr

↑Rising

299.3kAll-time births

📅 Since 188700.06% of births at peak

How to pronounce Dale

DAYL

/ˈdeɪl/ · stress on DAYL · 1 syllable

“valley.”

American origin · Unisex name

What does Dale mean and where does it come from?

Dale is traditionally regarded as a male name but has increasingly been adopted as a female name. The name originates from Old English 'dael,' meaning 'valley.' It became popular as a given name in English-speaking countries during the 20th century. Notable people with this name include Dale Evans,

Cultural significance

Dale has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of english.

Peak popularity

Reached #236 in 1952 — currently #1414 in the US.

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How else can you spell Dale?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

What middle names flow best with Dale?

Dale works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Dale Grace

How popular is Dale right now?

Rising fast — up 145 spots — currently #1414 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1890–2023#1414 · Top 1.0%

1955

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

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1995

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2010

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#1414	129	▲ up 145 · +13% births
2022	#1559	114	▼ down 150 · -12% births
2021	#1409	130	▲ up 15604 · +2500% births
2010	#17013	5	▼ down 6873 · -50% births
2005	#10140	10	▼ down 2100 · -17% births
2000	#8040	12	▼ down 3930 · -52% births
1995	#4110	25	▼ down 1079 · -32% births
1990	#3031	37	▼ down 632 · -10% births
1985	#2399	41	▼ down 463 · -25% births
1980	#1936	55	▼ down 331 · -10% births
1975	#1605	61	▼ down 789 · -64% births
1970	#816	170	▼ down 214 · -34% births
1965	#602	258	▼ down 185 · -52% births
1960	#417	536	▼ down 146 · -47% births
1955	#271	1,002	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Dale

Best Year1950Rank #263

Peak Count1,002

Average Rank#2408

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1900 - 202326 years

The story of Dale

Dale has been a beloved American name for over 137 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1887. More than 299,325 babies have been named Dale since 1887. Dale is used for both genders: 7% female and 93% male.

Names that peaked alongside Dale in 1952:

Linda Mary Patricia Deborah Susan

Dale by decade

Dale peaked in the 1950s. See all 1950s names →

Decade	Births
1880s	134
1890s	361
1900s	790
1910s	8,677
1920s	23,541
1930s	33,988
1940s	52,386
1950s ★	84,178
1960s	53,458
1970s	18,927
1980s	10,921
1990s	6,476
2000s	3,731
2010s	1,627
2020s	130

What are good nicknames for Dale?

Common

DalDalieDaly

What names sound and feel like Dale?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Dale also consider these

Vale

American · a valley

Darle

American · A variant of

Dare

American · To be brave

Dace

American · Dace, possibly a

Common questions about the name Dale

What does the name Dale mean?

Dale means "English" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Dale?

Dale is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Dale have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Dale?

Dale originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Dale?

Dale is a one-syllable name pronounced D EY1 L. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

How does Dale sound with different last names?

As a one-syllable name, Dale flows best with last names of two or three syllables. Avoid last names ending in the same sound as Dale ends, as this can create an unwanted rhyme. Test by saying the full name out loud several times.