A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Dell since 1880
Babies named Dell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1953, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dell's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 101 | 123 |
| 1890s | 143 | 97 |
| 1900s | 169 | 79 |
| 1910s | 336 | 312 |
| 1920s | 367 | 407 |
| 1930s | 312 | 464 |
| 1940s | 332 | 549 |
| 1950s | 450 | 711 |
| 1960s | 239 | 599 |
| 1970s | 84 | 254 |
| 1980s | 11 | 147 |
| 1990s | 0 | 108 |
| 2000s | 0 | 81 |
| 2010s | 0 | 43 |
| 2020s | 0 | 34 |
Meaning & origin
Dell is a name that evokes a strong sense of place, literally meaning 'valley' in Old English. Its use as a given name emerged in the 19th century, often as a surname transfer or a short form of names like Adela or Delbert. Historically modest in popularity, its best year was 1884, when it ranked highest. After a long period of obscurity, Dell has been rising again since 2020. In 2025, the name remained rare, ranking 10,695 with approximately 1 in 284,679 newborns receiving it. This revival may reflect a broader trend toward classic, concise names with natural associations. While not tied to any specific region, its straightforward sound and spelling give it an unpretentious charm.
Dell originates as a surname derived from Old English 'dell' meaning 'valley', used for someone who lived in or near a dell. It also emerged as a given name in the 19th century, possibly as a short form of names such as Adela or Delbert. The name saw modest use in the United States from the 1880s, with a peak in 1884.
Where Dell is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Delle
Sibling names for Dell
Names that share Dell's style, for a brother or sister.
