Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Dale
BoyEnglish, Old English· “valley”
- Meaning
- valley
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- DAYL
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,410
- US babies 2025
- 129
- Best rank
- #46 (1952)
- Peak year
- 1958
Meaning and origin of Dale
Dale is an English and Old English name that means “valley”.
Dale comes from the Old English word for a valley, and it began as a surname for someone who lived in a dale. The word is still used in northern England, as in the Yorkshire Dales. As a given name, Dale became popular in the United States in the twentieth century, and it is known through figures such as Dale Carnegie, the author of How to Win Friends and Influence People, and racing driver Dale Earnhardt. The name feels friendly, down-to-earth and classic.
Other spellings with the same sound: Dayle, Dail.
Popularity over time
Dale first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 129 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #46 in 1952, and the most babies received it in 1958, when 8,502 were named Dale. In 2025, 129 babies were named Dale, and it ranked #1,410 nationally. That is 27% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #105 in 1920, #49 in 1950, #198 in 1980, #536 in 2000, #1,021 in 2010, and #1,410 in 2025. Of the 278,156 US boys named Dale since records began, 27% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 50,423 babies. Since 2010, 2,377 more have been named Dale.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Steve, Jim, Rick, Peter, and Tom.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Dale ranked highest in Michigan, Utah, and Missouri.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Dale over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Dale is usually pronounced DAYL, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with D and ends in “-le”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Dayle and Dail.
Middle names for Dale
A few middle names that flow with Dale: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dale
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Lists that include Dale
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dale mean?
Dale is an English and Old English name that means “valley”.
What is the origin of the name Dale?
Dale has English and Old English roots. Dale comes from the Old English word for a valley, and it began as a surname for someone who lived in a dale.
Is Dale a popular name?
Not especially. Dale ranked #1,410 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Dale a boy or girl name?
Dale is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Dale over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Dale?
Dale is usually pronounced DAYL. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings