Baby Name of the Day: Dashiell

The baby name Dashiell blends literary roots with a dash of Disney. 

Thanks to Lyndsay for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES THE NAME DASHIELL MEAN?

Back in 1894, Richard and Anne Hammett welcomed son Samuel. Anne came from an old Maryland family. Her maiden name became Sam’s middle.

Sam grew up, launched a writing career, and dropped his traditional first name. We know him as detective novelist Dashiell Hammett.

But what does the name Dashiell mean? 

The surname started out as de Chiel. A family of French Huguenots with the name moved to Scotland, then England, before finally settling in the New World.

The family also included a US Congressman, as well as other civic leaders. American Civil General George Dashiell Bayard may have been a cousin.

While de Chiel’s meaning proves elusive, a few theories include:

• It might come from a French place name, as the “de” typically signifies “from.” There is at least one tiny town called Chiel near Lyon. 
• Other theories link it to the place name Assche – pronounce it like Ash and it seems more promising. While Asche and Asch are typically considered German, there is a Belgian title associated with an aristocratic French family. In this case, the name could mean “water” or possibly “spearman.”
• It’s tempting to see chiel and connect it to ciel – the French word for heaven or the sky. That’s probably folk etymology, though.

The strongest association is with the English word dash or dashing. It’s a synonym for handsome. Originally, it meant to strike or rush. One can “dash off” – leave quickly – or “dash hopes” – disappoint. In a recipe, “just a dash” is a quick shake of a spice. And we run dashes – short distances requiring a burst of speed. 

HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE DASHIELL?

At first glance, it’s tempting to pronounce Dashiell like Gabriel, three syllables, saying the I sound.

But most typically pronounce this name DASH-uhl or DASH-el. 

HAMMETT’S LEGACY

The pronunciation is all about the author, of course. 

Hammett pioneered what became known as hardboiled detective fiction.

His characters – aloof, confident, tough – inspired more fictional heroes that you can count. Even if you’ve never read his novels, you know their names: Sam Spade, Nick and Nora Charles.

Hammett died in 1961. In 1977, the movie Julia starred Jason Robards as the writer. Robards won a best supporting actor Oscar for the role. A 1979 biogrpahy followed.

SLOW AND QUIET RISE

The late 1970s wave of interest in the author seems to have sparked some interest in the baby name Dashiell.

In 1979, the name debuted in US popularity data, with eight boys and five girls receiving the name.

Rock star Alice Cooper named his son Dashiell in 1985, one of only 19 boys that year. (Cooper’s daughters answer to Calico and Sonora – no surprise that he’s a daring namer!)

The numbers remained small – 20 or fewer most years into the 1990s.

The name remained in sparing use, with even more high profile parents choosing it for their children:

• Actor C. Thomas Howell gave the name to a son in 1997.
• In 2001, Cate Blanchett welcomed her first, a son named Dashiell John. Blanchett put the name in the spotlight.
• Alternate spellings Dashel and Dashiel are also seen. Very occasionally, the names are given to girls. Paul W.S. Anderson and Mila Jovovich welcomed daughter Dashel Edan in 2015.

As for other uses, Dashiell was the name of a Houston corporation focused on electrical infrastructure. Founded in 1960, it took its name from founded David Dashiell. While the company still exists, it’s now owned by a larger corporation. 

THE INCREDIBLES

The name’s biggest boost came in 2004, when Disney-Pixar gave us The Incredibles.

It’s the story of a family of superheroes, trying to keep a low profile. Thanks to many a mishap, heroes are now required to keep their powers under wraps. 

Until, that is, something goes very wrong. Mr. Incredible and his wife Elastigirl end up taking on another top secret mission, bringing their three kids along.

Middle child Dash has a logical superpower: he runs at superhuman speeds. 

Dash Parr’s full name is Dashiell Robert Parr.

The family returned for a sequel in 2018. 

HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME DASHIELL?

In 2004, 59 boys received the baby name Dashiell – a new high. 

By 2015, those numbers peaked at 174 boys and five girls.

And yet it didn’t last. The baby name Dashiell was given to just 73 boys in 2024.

It’s familiar, but still very much under the radar.

CASH, NASH, AND DASH

If Dashiell never quite caught on, Dash has fared better.

The name Dash debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2014, and remains in the US rankings at #967 as of 2024. 

It fits with Nash and Cash, plus Asher and Ashton. 

But even Dash is fading now. 

OVERLOOKED POSSIBILITY

HBO’s The Gilded Age gave us wealthy widower Dashiell Montgomery in the second season. It tracks with the character’s story and the idea that the Dashiell family was prominent in the 19th century.

But it wasn’t enough to boost the baby name Dashiell.

Instead, this name remains literary, rare, and very wearable. It’s a substitute for Sebastian or Julian, a polished name with the same traditional energy as Everett or even Theodore.

Sporty nickname Dash is a bonus.

What do you think of the baby name Dashiell?

This post was originally published on February 20, 2010. It was substantially revised and re-posted on October 3, 2016 and again on December 11, 2025.