Dallas

Pronunciation: [ d-AL-uhs ]

Boy Name #243 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

A bold Western name with wide-open horizons

American Scottish

Modern Bold Earthy American Strong

Meaning & Origin

"meadow dwelling, water meadow"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Language: English

"from the valley of water"

Origin: Old Gaelic

Language: Scottish

The Story of Dallas

Dallas originated as a Scottish place name and clan name, derived from the Gaelic 'dail ghlas,' meaning 'meadow dwelling' or 'water meadow.' The city of Dallas, Texas, was named after George Mifflin Dallas, the 11th Vice President of the United States (1845-1849). As a given name, Dallas spread primarily in America, gaining pop culture prominence through the iconic TV series Dallas (1978-1991), which dramatized the lives of wealthy Texas oil families.

Dallas gained US popularity in the 1970s-1980s largely due to the hit primetime drama Dallas, which made the city — and the name — synonymous with swagger and ambition. It has remained a solid American name, particularly popular in the South and Southwest.

Dallas is quintessentially American, associated with Texas culture, the American West, and the television show that defined 1980s prime-time drama. It carries an adventurous, frontier spirit that resonates with families who value independence and boldness.

Fun Facts

Dallas, Texas, was named after US Vice President George Mifflin Dallas in 1846
The TV show Dallas ran for 14 seasons (1978-1991) and drew over 80 million viewers for the 'Who Shot J.R.?' episode
Dallas is also a city in Oregon, named after the same Vice President

Dallas in Other Languages

French Dallas

English Dallas

Spanish Dallas

Famous People Named Dallas

Dallas Green

Musician

1981

Canadian singer-songwriter known professionally as City and Colour, acclaimed for soulful acoustic music

J.R. Ewing Fictional

Other

The scheming, conniving oil magnate from the TV series Dallas (1978-1991), one of television's greatest villains

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #243
Total SSA Count: 1,448
Cultural Origins: American Scottish
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Dallin #3877 Dallen #4126

Common Nicknames

Dal

Pairs Well With

Dallas James Dallas Wyatt Dallas Cole Dallas Reid Dallas Hunter Dallas Lee

Sibling Names

Austin Denver Weston Savannah Cheyenne Hudson

Also a Girl Name

Dallas is also used as a girl name, ranked #658.

View Dallas as a girl name →

Similar Names

David Milton Lawson Alton Travis Carson Elton Walton

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas

What does the name Dallas mean?

"meadow dwelling, water meadow" (from Scottish Gaelic). "from the valley of water" (from Old Gaelic). Dallas originated as a Scottish place name and clan name, derived from the Gaelic 'dail ghlas,' meaning 'meadow dwelling' or 'water meadow.' The city of Dallas, Texas, was named after George Mifflin Dallas, the 11th Vice President of the United States (1845-1849). As a given name, Dallas spread primarily in America, gaining pop culture prominence through the iconic TV series Dallas (1978-1991), which dramatized the lives of wealthy Texas oil families.

What is the origin of the name Dallas?

Dallas has Scottish Gaelic, Old Gaelic, American, and Scottish origins. In Scottish Gaelic, it means "meadow dwelling, water meadow". In Old Gaelic, it means "from the valley of water".

Is Dallas a boy or girl name?

Dallas is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #243. As a girl name, it is ranked #658. Dallas is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Dallas?

Dallas is pronounced d-AL-uhs.

How popular is the name Dallas?

Dallas is currently ranked #243 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Dallas?

Common nicknames for Dallas include Dal.

What are good middle names for Dallas?

Popular middle name pairings include Dallas James, Dallas Wyatt, Dallas Cole, Dallas Reid, Dallas Hunter, and Dallas Lee.

What are good sibling names for Dallas?

Names that pair well with Dallas as siblings include Austin, Denver, Weston, Savannah, Cheyenne, and Hudson.

How many syllables does Dallas have?

Dallas has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Dallas a common or rare name?

Dallas is a popular name, ranked #243 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Dallas

Dallas is a boy name with American and Scottish origins . The name means "meadow dwelling, water meadow" in Scottish Gaelic .

Is Dallas a boy or girl name? Dallas is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #243 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #658. Dallas is more commonly used as a boy name.

Dallas is currently ranked #243 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Dallas has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AL-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Dallas include Dal. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Dallas include Dallin, Dallen . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.