Dallas is a unisex given name of American origin. It is derived from the surname Dallas, which has two possible origins. The most common origin is that it was an Anglicized form of the Scottish Clan Gaelic name "Dubhghall", composed of the elements "dubh" meaning "black" and " gall" meaning "stranger". Alternatively, Dallas may have been derived from the Old English personal name "Dallas", which was composed of the elements "del" meaning "noble" or "bold" and "haegl" meaning "battle".
The name Dallas gained popularity in the United States during the 20th century. It is often associated with Texas, as the city of Dallas is located in that state. However, it is not known whether there is a direct connection between the city's name and the personal name Dallas.
Despite its Scottish origins, Dallas is considered to be a unisex name in English-speaking countries. It has been used for both boys and girls since the mid-20th century. Some notable individuals with the given name Dallas include American actors Dallas Austin and Dallas Robertson, as well as Australian footballer Dallas Dowe.
The name Dallas has been popular among parents choosing names for their newborns in the United States over the past century and a half. The statistical data provided shows the number of births each year where the name Dallas was given.
In the late 19th century, the number of babies named Dallas ranged from a low of 16 births in 1887 to a high of 30 births in 1888. This trend continued into the early 20th century, with fluctuations between 25 and 40 births per year.
However, starting in the mid-1960s, there was a significant decrease in the number of babies named Dallas, reaching an all-time low of 273 births in 1967. This trend continued until the late 1970s when the popularity of the name began to rise again.
In 1978, there were 463 births where the name Dallas was given, and this number increased dramatically over the next few years. In 1980, there were 680 babies named Dallas, making it one of the most popular boys' names that year.
The popularity of the name Dallas has continued to fluctuate in recent decades, with peaks in the late 1980s and early 1990s, followed by a decline in the late 1990s. However, since the turn of the century, there has been a steady increase in the number of babies named Dallas.
In fact, according to the latest available data, there were 1375 births where the name Dallas was given in 2023. This represents a significant increase from previous years and indicates that the name Dallas remains popular among parents today.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Dallas has waxed and waned over the past century and a half, it has remained a common choice for parents naming their newborn sons.