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Dallas

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Dallas Pronunciation

Dallas is pronounced DAL-us /ˈdæl.əs/High

Meaning: From the meadow dwelling; Scottish Gaelic dail (meadow, field) + fas (dwelling)Medium

In 30 seconds: A Scottish place-name surname meaning 'meadow dwelling,' now famous as the name of Texas's fourth-largest city. As a given name it has a confident, expansive American feel.

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Origin MediumScottish, English

MeaningFrom the meadow dwelling; Scottish Gaelic dail (meadow, field) + fas (dwelling)

U.S. rank (2025)#687 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births413 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2015

Total births (all-time)≈ 15,879

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Dallas is a Scottish surname derived from a place in Moray, Scotland, whose name is believed to come from Scottish Gaelic dail (meadow or field) and fas (dwelling or stance). It became a prominent American surname and then a place name when the Texas city was named after George Mifflin Dallas in 1839.

Dallas entered U.S. baby-name charts primarily as a boys' name and got a major boost from the CBS TV drama Dallas (1978–1991). Use for girls grew steadily through the 1990s–2000s. By 2024 it ranked #657 for girls — sitting alongside other Southwestern place names like Austin, Laramie, and Denver.

Did you know? The Texas city of Dallas was named for George Mifflin Dallas (1792–1864), 11th U.S. Vice President under James K. Polk — making it one of the few American cities named directly for a sitting vice president.

Overall data confidence 80%

Behind the Name — Dallas — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Dallis

Nicknames

DalDally

Themes & Styles

American Unisex Place-name Surname-style Scottish

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Dallas…

Austin— Texas city name used as a given name with the same wide-open feel

Denver— American city/state name in the same rugged place-name category

Laramie— Western place name used as a girls' name in the same trend

Savannah— Southern city name with a warm, expansive character

Madison— American place-name surname with the same confident stride

→ See all names like Dallas

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Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Dallas?

Dallas is pronounced DAL-us (/ˈdæl.əs/). Press play above to hear Dallas said aloud.

How do you say Dallas?

Dallas is said DAL-us (/ˈdæl.əs/). Press play above to hear Dallas said aloud.

What does the name Dallas mean?

Dallas derives from Scottish Gaelic, likely meaning 'meadow dwelling,' from dail (meadow) and fas (dwelling). The exact etymology is uncertain.

Is Dallas a boy or girl name?

Dallas is used for both sexes in the U.S.

How popular is Dallas?

Dallas ranked #657 for U.S. girls in 2024.