Del
Primarily a boy's name of English origin with 4,289 recorded births. Also given to 672 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A diminutive of the male given name Derek.
Del is a boy's and girl's baby name of English origin, a short form of Derek (from the Germanic Theodoric, meaning 'ruler of the people') or Dell/Delbert. Del has the easy, mid-century American feel of names like Bud, Skip, and Mack — a one-syllable nickname that became its own complete identity.
Del Shannon, the 1960s pop star who recorded 'Runaway,' and Del Boy from the beloved British sitcom Only Fools and Horses have both given this short name outsized cultural presence on both sides of the Atlantic.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Del is rooted in the English tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1909 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Del’s 4,289 recorded births suggest it has found a niche — possibly within a specific cultural community, region, or naming subculture within the broader American landscape.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Del climbed 4867 spots in the last 20 years — from #11770 to #6903.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 62 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 90 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 104 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 167 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 201 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 427 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 967 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 1,095 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 556 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 333 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 166 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 116 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 5 | — |
The Story of Del
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1958, Del is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Boys named Del are most likely born between 1948 and 1968.
How rare is Del?
Only about 1 in every 300,000 babies born in 2024 was named Del — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1909, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1950s with 1,095 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Del by the numbers
- Would fill 89 school buses
- Meeting one Del per day would take 11.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(116 years, 1909–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | #6903 |
| 2023 | 14 | #6282 |
| 2022 | 9 | #8464 |
| 2021 | 12 | #6795 |
| 2020 | 15 | #5771 |
| 2019 | 10 | #7770 |
| 2018 | 8 | #9026 |
| 2017 | 6 | #11090 |
| 2016 | 12 | #6817 |
| 2015 | 7 | #9795 |
| 2014 | 11 | #7170 |
| 2013 | 15 | #5728 |
| 2012 | 6 | #11128 |
| 2011 | 5 | #12737 |
| 2010 | 10 | #7721 |
| 2009 | 9 | #8460 |
| 2008 | 10 | #7826 |
| 2007 | 13 | #6344 |
| 2006 | 13 | #6187 |
| 2005 | 15 | #5358 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Del as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Del has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 672 births since 1915.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Del a boy's or girl's name?
When was Del most popular?
How popular is the name Del?
Can Del be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1909–2024