The first name Dale

In 2025, 7 boys were named Dale, making it the 2,952nd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 373 births (#117).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Dale with other names.

In 2025, 129 boys born in the United States were named Dale, the 1,410th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1958, when 8,502 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Dale Carnegie
  American writer and lecturer (1888-1955)
• Dale T. Mortensen
  American economist (1939–2014)
• Dale Robertson
  American actor (1923-2013)
• Dale Earnhardt
  American racing driver (1951-2001)
• Dale Gardner
  American astronaut (1948–2014)
• Dale Evans
  American actress, singer and writer (1912–2001)
• Dale Crover
  American drummer, born 1967
• Dale Bumpers
  American politician (1925–2016)
• Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  American racecar driver, born 1974
• Dale Davis
  American basketball player (born 1969)
• Dale Stephens
  English association football player (born 1989)
• Dale Begg-Smith
  Freestyle skier, born 1985

How popular is the name Dale?

In 2025, 7 boys born in England and Wales were named Dale, ranking 2,952nd. Its peak was 1996, with 373 births.

Is Dale a boy's or a girl's name?

Both. Of the 300,043 US babies named Dale since 1880, 7% were girls and 93% boys.

When was Dale most popular?

1958 in the United States, when 8,502 babies were named Dale, its highest rank at 46th.

How do you pronounce Dale?

Dale is /deɪl/, one syllable.

What are other spellings of Dale?

Dayle.

Is Dale also a surname?

Yes. Dale is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.