Dale
How to say it: DAYL · /ˈdeɪl/
From Old English dæl or Old Norse dalr meaning 'valley'; originally a surname and topographic name.
Dale was the 1,218th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 129 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1950s, its births are down about 26% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #1,183 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #1,218 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 129 |
| Share of births | 1 in 25,700 |
| Peak decade | 1950s |
| Change over 10 years | −26% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #1,183 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Dale reached a high in the 1950s and now sits far below that level. The next few years should bring a small lift.
What goes with it
Short and crisp, Dale carries a quiet nature feel. Glen shares its style.
Honouring a Dale in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Dale is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English.
Famous people named Dale
- Dale Carnegie (1888–1955)American writer and lecturer
- Dale T. Mortensen (1939–2014)American economist
- Dale Crover (born 1967)American drummer
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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