Given name & surname
Del
“the ruler of the tribe”·“from the small valley”
In English use, Del is a diminutive of Derek. One English interpretation is “the ruler of the tribe.” Del is a variant of Dell. One English interpretation is “from the small valley.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Del is a diminutive of Derek. One English interpretation is “the ruler of the tribe.” Del is a variant of Dell. One English interpretation is “from the small valley.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In English use, Del is a diminutive of Derek. An origin associated with Derek is Low German. Del is a variant of Dell. An origin associated with Dell is English.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In English usage, Del is a diminutive of Derek. Del is an affectionate form of Derek.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1909. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Del is a variant of Dell. The history of Dell gives this family its wider story. Dell’s naming history includes the use of a family name as a given name.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Del through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 4,970
- 4,298 boys · 672 girls
- Most popular year
- 1958
- 168 babies
- 2025
- 9
- #8,417 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +10%
- Steady
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 100% boys.
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 9 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 8,417 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 9.8% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 143 in 1958. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,977 as a first name in 2020; 358 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Del’s family of names
In English usage, Del is a diminutive of Derek. Del has a related form in Dell. Del is an affectionate form of Derek.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 6
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 2
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Del
- Del HarrisAmerican basketball coachborn 1937
- Del Closeactor, writer, teacher (1934-1999)
- Del the Funky HomosapienAmerican rapperborn 1972
- Del ReevesAmerican singer (1932–2007)
- Del Moorecomedian, actor and radio announcer (1916-1970)
- Del MonroeAmerican actor (1932–2009)1931–2009
- Del AndrewsHollywood writer and director (1894-1942)
- Del LattaAmerican politician (1920–2016)
- Del McCouryAmerican musicianborn 1939
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Del, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Donell
“ruler of the world; a brown-haired warrior”
>99% boys
Darrel
“one who is dearly loved”
>99% boys
Darrell
“one who is dearly loved” · “one who is greatly loved”
>99% boys
Derwin
“a friend of the deer; a gifted friend”
>99% boys
Dan
“he judged”
97% boys · 3% girls
Michel
“who is like God?”
76% boys · 24% girls
Dave
“Beloved” · “darling”
>99% boys
Donnell
“ruler of the world; a brown-haired warrior”
>99% boys