Conference oass::babynames

	Dale, Old English, meaning "from the valley".

     Any other information out there, or any other explainations?
    

    My book (cheapo) has 'from the valley' listed as an explaintion
    for a girl's name.  
    
    for a boy's name, it saids, 'dweller in the dale'
    
    

	I don't have my dictionary with me, but I'm almost positive
	that this comes from the surname Dale.  This itself comes from
	the noun, meaning valley.  It was probably first used because
	that's where the bearer lived.  I imagine people started using
	it as a first name just because they liked the sound of it.
	I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't some movie star or
	something who got this started.

	First time I ever heard of a female Dale -- though I vaguely
	recall some movie actress with this name.  BTW, I once knew
	a girl whose first name was Valley -- strange, but nice.

		-- Cliff (kind of like Dale)

    Yes, Cliff, I think you're right about Dale being a movie star or
    something.  My mother named me 35 years ago for Dale Evans, wife
    of Roy Rogers.  She was in a cowgirl band at the time and thought
    that Dale was the greatest name she had ever heard!
    
    As time goes by, fewer and fewer people remember Dale Evans and ask
    why I have a boys name.  I also get lots of mail addressed to Mr. Dale
    Howard.  Once last year a temporary asked my boss "I have Dale's
    messages, what does HE look like?", my boss laughingly replied,
    "Dale is the one who's pregnant!".
    
    My name certainly gets a lot of attention!  I've always thought it was
    special to have a name that people consider a bit different. Another
    benefit is that I've NEVER had a nickname because it's impossible to
    shorten! 
    
    Thanks for making my day by saying that you like my name!!
    
    Dale  
  

    Dale,
    
    Don't feel like you're the only one... I get mail fairly often
    addressed to Mr. Robin Kulp.  Usually it's from a bank wanting
    me to have a credit card with them - fat chance!
    I also wast asked to join the boy scouts once as a kid.  My middle
    name is Gale so I guess they just thought it looked masculine.
    My mother certainly was upset.  Never bothered me though.
    
    Robin
    

    But then of course there was Lucille Ball's MALE actor friend
    
    GALE Gordon ... so you still cannot tell
    
    I worked with a man called Vivian and know of one called Shirley
    
    So, what gender is a name ?
    

    Stuart (male)