"settlement in the valley, valley town"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Dalton
Pronunciation: [ d-AWLT-uhn ]
Does Dalton flow with your last name?
An English place name meaning settlement in the valley
English
American
Strong
Earthy
Bold
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The Story of Dalton
Dalton is an English surname derived from Old English 'dæl' (valley) and 'tun' (settlement, farmstead), meaning 'settlement in the valley' or 'valley town'. It originated as a place name — there are several Daltons in England — that became a surname and eventually a given name. Used as a girl's name, Dalton joins the trend of strong surname names crossing gender lines.
Dalton has traditionally been a boy's name in the United States, but it has increasingly been used for girls as parents embrace gender-neutral and masculine-leaning surname names. The trend of giving girls strong, traditionally male surname names (like Blake, Ryan, Sawyer) has brought Dalton into use for girls.
John Dalton (1766-1844), the English chemist who developed atomic theory, is the most famous bearer of this surname. The Dalton brothers were also notorious outlaws in the American West. As a name, Dalton carries the rugged, frontier spirit that makes it appealing as both a boy's and girl's name in America.
Historical Record
Dalton first appeared in US Social Security records in 1987.
Over 401 babies have been named Dalton in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dalton is past its peak , currently ranked #38,013 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- John Dalton developed atomic theory in 1803, proposing that matter is made of atoms
- The Dalton Gang were notorious American outlaws who attempted to rob two banks simultaneously in 1892
- Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures is a fundamental principle in chemistry and physics
Dalton in Other Languages
French
Dalton
German
Dalton
English
Dalton
Spanish
Dalton
Popularity Over Time
#38,013
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1995
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #38,013
- Total SSA Count
- 6
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Dal
Dally
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
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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
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Dalton is also used as a boy name, ranked #433.
View Dalton as a boy name →Similar Names
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"famous"
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"truth (from Alethea root)"
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"dark-complexioned warrior"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dalton
What does the name Dalton mean?
"settlement in the valley, valley town" (from Old English). Dalton is an English surname derived from Old English 'dæl' (valley) and 'tun' (settlement, farmstead), meaning 'settlement in the valley' or 'valley town'. It originated as a place name — there are several Daltons in England — that became a surname and eventually a given name. Used as a girl's name, Dalton joins the trend of strong surname names crossing gender lines.
What is the origin of the name Dalton?
Dalton has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "settlement in the valley, valley town".
Is Dalton a boy or girl name?
Dalton is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #38013. As a boy name, it is ranked #433. 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 #38013 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dalton?
Common nicknames for Dalton include Dal and Dally.
What are good middle names for Dalton?
Popular middle name pairings include Dalton Rose, Dalton Grace, Dalton Mae, Dalton Ann, Dalton Lynn, and Dalton Claire.
What are good sibling names for Dalton?
Names that pair well with Dalton as siblings include Colton, Weston, Parker, Hadley, Reese, and Sawyer.
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 an uncommon name, ranked #38013 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Dalton
Dalton is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "settlement in the valley, valley town" in Old English .
Is Dalton a boy or girl name? Dalton is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #38,013 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #433. Dalton is more commonly used as a boy name.
Dalton is currently ranked #38,013 in popularity for girl 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 and Dally. 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