Dale Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Dale originates from Old English, meaning 'valley.' It evolved through the language as dael in Old English and later became dale in Middle English. The name is associated with natural landscapes, reflecting a tranquil character. There is no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 19th century and is currently viewed as a classic name. Notable people with this name include Dale Carnegie and Dale Earnhardt.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Dale"
Pronunciation
/deɪl/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Dale is derived from the Old English word 'dael,' meaning 'valley.' It was used as a topographical surname for someone who lived in or near a valley.
Meaning
valley
Language Evolution
Old English: dael, Middle English: dale, Modern English: Dale
Historical Usage
The name Dale gained popularity as both a surname and a given name in England during the 19th century, particularly in rural areas.
Variants & Derivatives
Dail, Dalen
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Dale is perceived as a classic and traditional name, often associated with a sense of nature and tranquility due to its meaning.
Famous People
Dale Carnegie, an American writer and lecturer known for his self-improvement courses., Dale Earnhardt, a renowned American NASCAR driver.
📊 Dale Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Dale Name Visualizations
✨ Dale Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 9,088 peak births in 1958
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in South Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Dale" - Complete Guide (4 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Dale". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 4 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Dale" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Dale"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Dale"
"Dale" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 106th of 7545 | 26,284 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 65th of 6773 | 61,374 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 50th of 7552 | 130,935 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 124th of 10718 | 37,633 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 275th of 16616 | 14,034 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 637th of 24088 | 5,577 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1300th of 23106 | 1,725 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 877th of 9107 | 1,197 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 474th of 9204 | 3,988 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 329th of 12526 | 13,895 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1045th of 19264 | 1,889 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2898th of 27321 | 596 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 9933rd of 35406 | 160 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 15866th of 30306 | 48 |
Regional Popularity of "Dale" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
4.03% 57th/1416 |
14.00% 193rd/1379 |
10.69% 253rd/2366 |
5.87% 67th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
2.01% 31st/1546 |
5.78% 90th/1556 |
6.46% 152nd/2353 |
3.10% 48th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
1.71% 38th/2227 |
3.00% 73rd/2430 |
3.40% 97th/2853 |
1.80% 50th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
2.86% 84th/2937 |
3.79% 132nd/3483 |
4.66% 164th/3518 |
3.39% 137th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
5.51% 203rd/3685 |
5.70% 255th/4475 |
6.08% 316th/5194 |
5.13% 324th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
11.39% 522nd/4582 |
10.92% 564th/5164 |
9.31% 681st/7313 |
10.36% 773rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
26.76% 1066th/3984 |
31.96% 1434th/4487 |
22.40% 1528th/6822 |
23.37% 1467th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Dale" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
54.52% 772nd/1416 |
61.49% 848th/1379 |
46.49% 1100th/2366 |
66.11% 755th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
33.51% 518th/1546 |
19.79% 308th/1556 |
23.93% 563rd/2353 |
26.57% 411th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
19.80% 441st/2227 |
8.52% 207th/2430 |
12.27% 350th/2853 |
14.95% 415th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
44.77% 1315th/2937 |
19.47% 678th/3483 |
31.64% 1113th/3518 |
38.01% 1537th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
52.94% 2369th/4475 |
100.00% 5194th/5194 |
61.20% 3866th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Dale"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Dale" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Dale" in the United States
The name Dale is most popular in South Dakota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Dale has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Dale' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 106th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 65th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 50th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 124th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 275th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 637th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1300th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 877th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 474th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 329th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1045th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2898th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 9933rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 15866th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Dale' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.