dale

Dale is a term for a valley, especially in Northern England, derived from the Old English dæl, dāl meaning valley or hollow. In modern English, dale appears primarily as a toponym in place names and, less commonly, as a given name or surname. The word is preserved in geographic names such as the Yorkshire Dales, a culturally defined region of upland valleys and limestone scenery in northern England; the landscape is characterized by steep river valleys and dry stone walls. The element "dale" is common in English hill country and features in numerous names, including Wharfedale, Swaledale, and Nidderdale, with the entire area known as the Dales. The term also exists in other languages through emulation of the English usage, and in many places there are towns or villages simply named Dale, or built around a valley.

As a given name, Dale has long been used in English-speaking countries and is typically masculine, though it can be unisex in contemporary usage. As a surname, Dale occurs in English-speaking populations and can be found in various records.

Notable people with the given name Dale include Dale Carnegie, the American writer and lecturer best known for his self-help books, Dale Earnhardt, the American NASCAR driver, and Dale Chihuly, the American glass artist. The surname occurs across many regions, with individuals in diverse professions.