Holding steady, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Dal since 1915
Babies named Dal per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1957, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dal's real moment was 1939.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 18 |
| 1920s | 52 |
| 1930s | 74 |
| 1940s | 102 |
| 1950s | 122 |
| 1960s | 116 |
| 1970s | 30 |
| 1980s | 25 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 55 |
| 2020s | 34 |
Meaning & origin
Dal is a rare and straightforward name that has appeared sporadically in U.S. birth records since 1915. Its peak year was 1939, though even then it was never common. As of 2025, Dal ranks 10,695th, with just 1 in every 284,679 boys receiving the name. The name's trajectory has been stable over recent decades, without significant revival or decline. Its origins are uncertain, but it is likely a shortened form of Scottish or English surnames like Dallas or Dalton. Despite its obscurity, Dal has a clean, one-syllable sound that fits with other short names of the early 20th century. Parents today might appreciate its simplicity and rarity, though it remains an unconventional choice.
Dal is likely a short form of Scottish or English surnames or given names such as Dallas or Dalton. Dallas is of Scottish origin, from a place name meaning 'meadow dwelling', while Dalton is an English habitational surname meaning 'farmstead in the valley'. As a standalone given name, Dal has seen occasional use in the United States since the early 20th century, peaking modestly in the 1930s.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Dall
Sibling names for Dal
Names that share Dal's style, for a brother or sister.
