Dash

At a Glance

Meaning

Surname for someone who lived near an ash tree

Origin

English (Anglo-Norman + Old English surname)

Gender

Neutral

Pronunciation

DASHListen

Dash sits at #967 for babies born in 2024, a clean, modern name that works for any gender. Many people assume it's tied to quick movement or is short for Dashiell, but that's not the documented origin — the sourced etymology traces Dash to a surname for someone who lived near an ash tree, with roots in Anglo-Norman and Old English. It's pronounced simply as DASH (/ˈdæʃ/).

Meaning & Origin of Dash

Meaning: Surname for someone who lived near an ash tree.

Origin: English (Anglo-Norman + Old English surname).

A common claim: Dash is widely thought to mean 'to move quickly' or evoke a burst of speed, and is often assumed to be short for Dashiell. Actually: Dash's only known origin is as a rare surname for someone who lived near an ash tree. The 'quick movement' meaning comes from the everyday word 'dash,' not the name's root.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Dash

Popularity of Dash

Dash peaked at #741 in 2017 with 322 babies given the name, and has since eased to #967 in 2024 with 232 — a gradual decline over SSA records spanning 1984 to 2024.

Names Like Dash

These names share Dash’s style, era or origin.

• Adley
• Arden
• Arrow
• Ash
• Bay
• Bear

FAQ

What does the name Dash mean?

Surname for someone who lived near an ash tree. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Dash?

Dash is pronounced DASH (IPA: /ˈdæʃ/).

Is Dash a popular name right now?

Dash peaked at #741 in 2017 and is ranked #967 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1984–2024.)

Make Dash Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Dash, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.