Holding steady.
Popularity of Dahl since 1922
Babies named Dahl per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 10 |
| 1930s | 33 |
| 1940s | 65 |
| 1950s | 23 |
| 1960s | 16 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Dahl is a rare given name in the United States, first recorded in 1922. It reached its peak year in 1940, but has never been common enough to rank among the top 1000 names. The name's trajectory has been stable over the decades, with very few births per year. No top states for this name are recorded, indicating its use is extremely sporadic. As a short, single-syllable name, Dahl fits a modern trend toward concise, surname-style first names. Its connection to the beloved author Roald Dahl may inspire occasional use, though the name itself has older origins as a topographic surname.
The name Dahl is most likely a transferred use of the English surname Dahl, which itself may derive from the Old English word 'dæl' meaning 'valley' or from the Scandinavian word 'dal' with the same meaning. Alternatively, it could be a modern coinage inspired by the surname of author Roald Dahl. As a given name, it has seen occasional use in the United States since the early 20th century, remaining rare.
Sibling names for Dahl
Names that share Dahl's style, for a brother or sister.
