The name Del is of English origin and it has a fascinating history behind it. It is derived from the Old French word "dela", which means "of" or "from". This prefix was often used in medieval French surnames to indicate the origin or place of residence of an individual.
In England, during the Norman Conquest in 1066, many French-speaking nobles arrived and brought with them their unique naming customs. Over time, these names were anglicized, and "dela" became "del". As a result, Del has been used as both a given name and a surname for centuries.
One of the earliest known references to Del can be found in the Domesday Book, a great survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror in 1086. In it, a person named Delia is listed, which suggests that the name was already being used as a female given name at that time.
Throughout history, Del has been associated with various notable figures. For instance, the English poet Edmund Spenser (1552-1599) wrote about a character named Delia in his epic sonnet sequence "Amoretti". Additionally, Del was a popular given name among the Puritans during the 17th century.
Today, Del continues to be used as both a given name and a surname. It has gained popularity in recent years due to its unisex appeal and unique sound. The name is often associated with creativity and individuality, reflecting its diverse historical origins and uses. Overall, Del is an intriguing name with a rich history that spans centuries of English naming traditions.
The name Del has been given to babies born in the United States for over a century, with the first recorded births occurring in 1909. From then until 2023, there have been a total of 4276 births registered with this name.
Between 1909 and 1958, Del was not very popular among parents, with fewer than 30 births each year during that period. However, starting in 1954, the popularity of the name began to rise significantly, reaching a peak of 143 births in 1958.
The trend continued into the 1960s and early 1970s, with over 100 births each year between 1962 and 1971. However, after 1971, the popularity of Del began to decline again, dropping below 50 births per year by the mid-1970s.
The name remained relatively uncommon throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, with fewer than 25 births each year. However, there was a slight increase in popularity during the late 1990s and early 2000s, with over 15 births per year between 1996 and 2003.
Since then, Del has remained relatively uncommon, with fewer than 15 births per year on average. However, there have been some fluctuations in popularity over the years, with peaks of 27 births in 1991 and 25 births in 1987.
Overall, while Del was once a popular name for babies born in the United States, its popularity has since declined significantly. Despite this, it remains a unique and distinctive name that continues to be given to a small number of babies each year.