Name meaning & stats
Dale
Dale means “valley”. 232,546 US babies since 1940, peak 1958. Notable Dales are 1.9× over-represented as ice hockey players.
What it means
“valley”
Well documented
Originally a surname.
In US birth records
Peak year: 1958
232,546 US babies were named Dale between 1940 and 2025.
Where Dales end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Politician | 1.8× | High · 60 people |
| Footballer | 1.1× | High · 32 people |
| Ice hockey player | 1.9× | High · 26 people |
| Writer | 1.2× | Medium · 23 people |
Among notable men who are ice hockey players, Dales show up 1.9× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
Spelling family
Dale is the main spelling
- Dale 100%
- Dal <1%
- Dahl <1%
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1958)