Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Dalton
BoyOld English, English· “valley town”
- Meaning
- valley town
- Origin
- Old English, English
- Pronunciation
- DAWL-tun
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #448
- US babies 2025
- 699
- Best rank
- #85 (1994)
- Peak year
- 1998
Meaning and origin of Dalton
Dalton is an Old English and English name that means “valley town”.
Dalton is an English surname from several place names in northern England, combining the Old English dæl, meaning "valley," with tun, meaning "settlement." The scientist John Dalton, who developed modern atomic theory, is one of its best known bearers. In the United States Dalton gained a Wild West association through the Dalton Gang, a group of outlaws, and it later became a popular first name in the late twentieth century. It has a sturdy, rugged sound and fits well with other surname names such as Colton and Brody.
Other spellings with the same sound: Daulton.
Popularity over time
Dalton first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 128 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #85 in 1994, and the most babies received it in 1998, when 4,565 were named Dalton. In 2025, 699 babies were named Dalton, and it ranked #448 nationally. That is 33% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #509 in 1920, #687 in 1950, #1,049 in 1980, #91 in 2000, #260 in 2010, and #448 in 2025. Of the 85,710 US boys named Dalton since records began, 42% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 26,178 babies. Since 2010, 14,324 more have been named Dalton.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Spencer, Tanner, Antonio, Brendan, and Grant.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Dalton ranked highest in Alaska, New Hampshire, and Maine.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | #147 | 6 |
| New Hampshire | #211 | 6 |
| Maine | #240 | 5 |
| Idaho | #285 | 9 |
| Louisiana | #297 | 17 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Dalton is usually pronounced DAWL-tun, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-on”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Daulton.
Middle names for Dalton
A few middle names that flow with Dalton: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dalton
Similar names
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Lists that include Dalton
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dalton mean?
Dalton is an Old English and English name that means “valley town”.
What is the origin of the name Dalton?
Dalton has Old English and English roots. Dalton is an English surname from several place names in northern England, combining the Old English dæl, meaning "valley," with tun, meaning "settlement." The scientist John Dalton, who developed modern atomic theory, is one of its best known bearers.
Is Dalton a popular name?
Yes. Dalton ranked #448 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Dalton a boy or girl name?
Dalton is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Dalton?
Dalton is usually pronounced DAWL-tun. 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