Dahl is of Scandinavian origin, specifically from Norway and Sweden. It is derived from Old Norse 'dalr' meaning ' dale' or 'valley'. The name gained popularity during the Victorian era in Britain due to its association with notable figures like Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen, who had a character named Dahl in his play "The Master Builder". In literature, Roald Dahl, the famous British author known for children's books such as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Matilda", has also contributed to the popularity of this name.
The name Dahl experienced fluctuating popularity over the years, with a peak of 15 births in 1940 and a steady decline thereafter, culminating in a consistent low of 5 births from 1946 onwards, excluding the slight uptick in the late 1950s to early 1960s.