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Dashiell
Pronounced duh-SHEEL /də.ˈʃiːl/Medium
Meaning: Anglicized form of French surname de Chiel, of uncertain meaning; popularized by Dashiell HammettMedium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
The name began as an English reshaping of the French surname de Chiel, whose underlying meaning is not reliably known. It owes its life as a first name largely to Dashiell Hammett, the American author of hard-boiled detective fiction who wrote The Maltese Falcon.
Because its root meaning is genuinely unclear, the name leans on its literary association rather than a settled definition. Pronounced with a dash at the start, it has a stylish, slightly old-Hollywood ring.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Dashiell Hammett (1894–1961)American author of hard-boiled detective fiction, wrote The Maltese Falcon.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Dashiell mean?
Dashiell is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with English tradition.
How do you pronounce Dashiell?
It's commonly said duh-SHEEL /də.ˈʃiːl/.
Is Dashiell a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Dashiell is used as a boy name.
How popular is Dashiell?
In 2024, Dashiell ranked #2057 in the U.S. for boys, with 73 births recorded.