Declining since 1985, #8,243 for boys today.
Popularity of Del since 1909
Babies named Del per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 0 | 5 |
| 1910s | 17 | 116 |
| 1920s | 69 | 166 |
| 1930s | 123 | 333 |
| 1940s | 109 | 556 |
| 1950s | 216 | 1,095 |
| 1960s | 126 | 967 |
| 1970s | 12 | 427 |
| 1980s | 0 | 201 |
| 1990s | 0 | 167 |
| 2000s | 0 | 104 |
| 2010s | 0 | 90 |
| 2020s | 0 | 71 |
Meaning & origin
Del is a short, straightforward name that has been in use as a given name since at least 1909, when records first capture it. Its most popular year was 1958, during the mid-century era when clipped names and nicknames as first names were fashionable. Over time, however, Del has seen a gradual decline; since 1985, its usage has been consistently falling, and it now appears only rarely. In 2025, the name was given to roughly 1 in 189,786 boys, placing it at rank 8,243. While it does not have strong regional ties in the United States, Del remains a simple, unpretentious choice with a classic American feel.
Del originated as a diminutive of names such as Delbert, which itself is derived from Old English elements meaning 'bright' or 'famous.' It also appears as a short form of Delroy, a modern coinage combining 'Del' (possibly from the Spanish 'del') and 'roy' (king). As an independent given name, Del gained modest popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States.
Sibling names for Del
Names that share Del's style, for a brother or sister.
