Dalton

Pronunciation: [ d-AWLT-uhn ]

Boy Name #433 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

Valley roots with frontier American strength

English American

Earthy Strong Classic Modern Bold

Meaning & Origin

"from the valley town"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

"valley settlement"

Origin: Anglo-Saxon

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Dalton

Dalton Trumbo

Writer

1905

American screenwriter blacklisted during the McCarthy era who won two Oscars under pseudonyms before being vindicated

John Dalton

Scientist

1766

English chemist and physicist who developed the atomic theory of matter and pioneered color blindness research

Dalton (character) Fictional

Other

The protagonist of 'Road House' (1989), played by Patrick Swayze — a cooler who restores order at a Missouri roadhouse

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

Pairs Well With

Dalton James Dalton Lee Dalton Ray Dalton Thomas Dalton Wayne Dalton Scott Dalton Clark

Sibling Names

Colton Clayton Payton Savannah Brooklyn Shelby Weston

Also a Girl Name

Dalton is also used as a girl name, ranked #38013.

View Dalton as a girl name →

Similar Names

Milton Wilson Clifton Dallas Alton Elton Walton Wells

Playground Safety

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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.