Find out how popular the first name Dale has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Dale by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Dale is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 96% of people named Dale being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 129 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Dale.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby girls were named Dale in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Dale

The name Dale has its origins in the Old English word "dæl," which means "valley" or "vale." It was initially used as a topographic surname, referring to individuals who lived in or near a valley. This name can be traced back to the 12th century in England.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dale can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive record of landowners and tenants in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared in various spellings, such as "de la Dale" and "atte Dale," indicating its topographic nature.

In the Middle Ages, Dale was primarily a surname, but it gradually transitioned into a given name. This transition was likely influenced by the growing popularity of using descriptive place names as personal names during that period.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Dale. One of the earliest recorded was Dale Abbey, a Premonstratensian monastery founded in Derbyshire, England, in the 12th century. The monastery's name was derived from its location in a valley.

In literature, the name Dale appeared in Sir Walter Scott's novel "Ivanhoe," published in 1819. One of the main characters, Cedric the Saxon, had a son named Wilfred of Ivanhoe, who was also known as Wilfred of the Dale.

Another prominent figure with the name Dale was Sir Thomas Dale, an English naval officer and colonial administrator who played a significant role in the early settlement of Virginia in the 17th century. He served as the Deputy Governor of Virginia from 1611 to 1616 and is credited with establishing discipline and order in the colony.

In the 20th century, Dale Carnegie (1888-1955) was an influential American writer and lecturer, best known for his book "How to Win Friends and Influence People," which became a best-seller and remains popular to this day.

The name Dale also gained popularity in the world of sports. Dale Earnhardt (1951-2001) was a legendary American professional stock car racing driver who won numerous NASCAR championships and is considered one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.

Another notable individual with the name Dale was Dale Chihuly (born 1941), an American glass sculptor and entrepreneur. His innovative and vibrant glass sculptures have been exhibited worldwide, and he is recognized as one of the most influential artists working in glass.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds of individuals who have borne the name Dale, spanning various fields, from literature and colonial administration to sports and art.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Dale was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Dale, please contact us.

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