"from the valley town"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Dalton
Pronunciation: [ d-AWLT-uhn ]
Does Dalton flow with your last name?
Valley roots with frontier American strength
English
American
Earthy
Strong
Classic
Modern
Bold
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Meaning & Origin
"valley settlement"
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Language: English
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The Story of Dalton
Dalton is an English surname derived from Old English 'dael' (valley) and 'tun' (settlement, farm), meaning 'valley town' or 'settlement in the valley.' Multiple places in England bear the name Dalton, and the surname developed from residence in one of these locations. Its use as a given name in America grew from the surname-as-first-name trend.
Dalton grew as a given name in the US from the 1980s through the 2000s, peaking around 2000-2005 in the top 100. It appealed to parents in the South and Midwest who favored strong, masculine surname-based names with an Anglo-American frontier feel.
John Dalton, the English chemist who developed atomic theory in the early 19th century, is the name's most historically significant bearer. The Dalton Gang of American outlaws (1890s) gives the name a Wild West edge that some parents find appealing.
Historical Record
Dalton first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 79,888 babies have been named Dalton in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dalton is past its peak , currently ranked #433 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- John Dalton developed the atomic theory of matter in 1803, proposing that all matter is made of atoms
- The Dalton Gang were notorious outlaws in 1890s Kansas, known for attempting to rob two banks simultaneously
- Dalton was a top-100 US baby name from 1994 to 2004
Dalton in Other Languages
French
Dalton
English
Dalton
Spanish
Dalton
Popularity Over Time
#433
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1994
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dalton
D
Dalton Trumbo
Writer
1905
American screenwriter blacklisted during the McCarthy era who won two Oscars under pseudonyms before being vindicated
J
John Dalton
Scientist
1766
English chemist and physicist who developed the atomic theory of matter and pioneered color blindness research
D
Dalton (character) Fictional
Other
The protagonist of 'Road House' (1989), played by Patrick Swayze — a cooler who restores order at a Missouri roadhouse
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #433
- Total SSA Count
- 729
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Dal
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dalton
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Dalton is also used as a girl name, ranked #38013.
View Dalton as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dalton
What does the name Dalton mean?
"from the valley town" (from Old English). "valley settlement" (from Anglo-Saxon). Dalton is an English surname derived from Old English 'dael' (valley) and 'tun' (settlement, farm), meaning 'valley town' or 'settlement in the valley.' Multiple places in England bear the name Dalton, and the surname developed from residence in one of these locations. Its use as a given name in America grew from the surname-as-first-name trend.
What is the origin of the name Dalton?
Dalton has Old English, Anglo-Saxon, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "from the valley town". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "valley settlement".
Is Dalton a boy or girl name?
Dalton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #433. As a girl name, it is ranked #38013. Dalton is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Dalton?
Dalton is pronounced d-AWLT-uhn.
How popular is the name Dalton?
Dalton is currently ranked #433 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dalton?
Common nicknames for Dalton include Dal.
What are good middle names for Dalton?
Popular middle name pairings include Dalton James, Dalton Lee, Dalton Ray, Dalton Thomas, Dalton Wayne, Dalton Scott, and Dalton Clark.
What are good sibling names for Dalton?
Names that pair well with Dalton as siblings include Colton, Clayton, Payton, Savannah, Brooklyn, Shelby, and Weston.
How many syllables does Dalton have?
Dalton has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dalton a common or rare name?
Dalton is a popular name, ranked #433 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Dalton
Dalton is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "from the valley town" in Old English .
Is Dalton a boy or girl name? Dalton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #433 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #38,013. Dalton is more commonly used as a boy name.
Dalton is currently ranked #433 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Dalton has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AWLT-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dalton include Dal. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis