Dalton is a name of English origin, derived from the surname Dale or Dallow. The surname itself comes from the Old English word 'dæl' which means valley. Therefore, Dalton can be interpreted as someone who lives in a valley.
The name Dalton has been used for both boys and girls, but it is more commonly associated with males. It gained popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, although its usage has since declined somewhat.
Historically, there have been several notable individuals named Dalton. One of the most famous was John Dalton (1766-1844), an English chemist and physicist who is best known for his pioneering work in atomic theory. He proposed that all matter consists of tiny indivisible particles called atoms, a concept which remains fundamental to chemistry today.
Another notable figure bearing the name Dalton was Matthew Fontaine Maury Dalton (1806-1873), an American naval officer and explorer who played a significant role in mapping the ocean currents around North America. His work helped improve navigation safety and efficiency for mariners traveling between Europe and North America.
In popular culture, Dalton has been used as a character name in various films, books, and television shows. Perhaps most famously, it was the last name of the main character in the hit film "Road to Perdition" (2002), played by Tom Hanks.
Overall, Dalton is a strong yet approachable name with a rich historical background and notable figures associated with it. Its meaning adds depth and connection to nature, making it an appealing choice for parents looking for a unique yet meaningful name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Dalton has seen varying popularity over the years in the United States. From 1916 to 1935, there were only five births each year with the name Dalton, indicating a low level of popularity during this period.
The popularity of the name began to rise in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with six births in 1987, five births in 1988, nine births from 1989 to 1991 (five each year), and then a significant increase to 17 births in 1992. This trend continued throughout the mid-1990s, with the highest number of Dalton births occurring in 1995, at 28.
However, the popularity of the name began to decrease after the late 1990s, with a total of 20 births in 1999 and 25 births in 2000. This downward trend continued into the early 2000s, with only eight births in 2003.
Interestingly, there was a sudden increase in popularity again in 2004, with 32 Dalton births that year. However, this spike was not sustained, and the number of Dalton births has remained relatively low since then, with a total of 69 births from 2006 to 2021 inclusive.
Overall, while the name Dalton has had periods of both high and low popularity in the United States over the past century, it has maintained a consistent presence with at least five births each year. As of 2021, there have been a total of 420 births in the U.S. with the name Dalton.