"meadow dwelling"
Dallas
Pronunciation: [ d-AL-uhs ]
A bold Western place name with cowboy charisma
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Dallas
Dallas is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic dal meaning meadow or valley plus fas meaning dweller, originally a place name in Moray, Scotland. It became a given name in America through the tradition of using place names, particularly after the founding and explosive growth of Dallas, Texas. As a girls name, Dallas joins the trend of strong, geographic names like Savannah, Cheyenne, and Phoenix that feel adventurous and distinctly American.
Dallas has grown as a girls name in the 2010s-2020s, appealing to parents who like place-based names but want something beyond Brooklyn or Savannah. The Texas citys associations with strength, ambition, and wide-open spaces make it particularly appealing.
The city of Dallas, Texas looms large in American culture, from the Kennedy assassination to the Dallas Cowboys to the iconic oil-money television show Dallas. As a name, it carries connotations of Texas boldness and ambition.
Fun Facts
- Dallas, Texas is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the US and home to more Fortune 500 company headquarters than any other US city
- The TV show Dallas ran from 1978 to 1991 and was one of the most-watched television programs worldwide during the 1980s
Dallas in Other Languages
Famous People Named Dallas
Dallas Cowboys
Other
The iconic NFL team known as Americas Team, one of the most valuable and recognized sports franchises in the world
Dallas Winston Fictional
Other
A central character in S.E. Hintons The Outsiders, the toughest greaser in the gang
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #658
- Total SSA Count
- 444
- Cultural Origins
- American Scottish English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Dallas is also used as a boy name, ranked #243.
View Dallas as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas
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About the Name Dallas
Dallas is a girl name with American, Scottish, and English origins . The name means "meadow dwelling" in Scottish Gaelic .
Is Dallas a boy or girl name? Dallas is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #658 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #243. Dallas is more commonly used as a boy name.
Dallas is currently ranked #658 in popularity for girl 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 and Dally. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.