Dell is an English surname of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "tell", which means "valley". The name was originally given to someone who lived in a valley, or perhaps someone who worked at a mill located near a valley.
The earliest records of the surname Dell date back to the 13th century in England. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a record of people living in England during the reign of King Edward I, a person named Walter atte Dell was listed. This suggests that the name had already been established in England for some time.
Over the centuries, the surname Dell has spread throughout the world with English colonization and immigration. Today, it is most commonly found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
While Dell is primarily a surname, it can also be used as a given name. In recent years, there has been an increase in the popularity of the name Dell as a boys' name in English-speaking countries. However, its usage remains relatively uncommon compared to more traditional names like John or William.
In summary, Dell is an English surname of German origin that means "valley". It was originally given to someone who lived near or worked at a mill located near a valley. While it has primarily been used as a surname throughout history, it can also be used as a given name and its popularity as such has grown in recent years.
Between 1880 and 1984, there were a total of 2544 babies named Dell born in the United States. The name's popularity varied over time, with some years seeing more than 50 births and others only a handful.
The most popular decade for the name Dell was the 1950s, with a total of 387 births. The peak year was 1954, when 57 babies were named Dell. However, this popularity did not last long as the number of births decreased significantly in the following decades.
The 1960s saw a decline in popularity, with only 105 births throughout the decade. This trend continued into the 1970s and 1980s, with just 43 births between them. The most recent data available is from 1984, when there were only 5 births.
Despite the fluctuations in popularity over time, Dell remains a unique name with a rich history in the United States. It is interesting to note that while it was once quite popular, it has since become much less common. This provides an opportunity for parents who wish to give their child a distinctive and memorable name.