NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Dali

A name of Hindi origin meaning "brave or daring".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 14 boys.

Dali is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Dali popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4192, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 13 births.

This profile covers 65 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 2000 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 65 living people in the UK are called Dali. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Dali ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2021, when 13 girls were registered as Dali.
  • Dali is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 65 living people in the UK are estimated to have Dali as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 82.3% of Dali registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4192

2024

Births in 2024

5

Latest year

Peak year

2021

13 births

Estimated living

65

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Dali

In England and Wales birth records, Dali has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 17.7% of registrations are for boys and 82.3% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

18% boys
82% girls
Boys14 (17.7%)Girls65 (82.3%)

Dali registered for boys

  • Ranked #3,937 in 2019
  • 4 boys registered in 2019
  • Peak: 2018 (4 births)

Dali registered for girls

  • Ranked #4,192 in 2024
  • 5 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2021 (13 births)

Meaning

What does Dali mean?

The name Dali is believed to have its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the ancient Sanskrit language. It is derived from the word "dalita," which means "broken" or "split." This name was initially used to refer to individuals from lower castes or oppressed social groups.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dali can be found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, where it is mentioned as the name of a character. In this ancient text, Dali is portrayed as a wise and compassionate figure who advocated for social equality and justice.

During the medieval period, the name Dali gained popularity among Buddhists in various parts of Asia. It was associated with the principles of non-violence, compassion, and spiritual enlightenment. The famous Tibetan Buddhist teacher Dali Lama, who lived in the 15th century, is believed to have popularized the name further.

In the modern era, one of the most notable figures with the name Dali was the renowned Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali (1904-1989). His eccentric personality and groundbreaking works, such as "The Persistence of Memory," have made him an iconic figure in the art world.

Another prominent individual with the name Dali was the Indian cricketer Dali Hazare (1910-2003), who captained the Indian national team and was known for his exceptional batting skills. He was a key figure in the early days of Indian cricket and played a significant role in popularizing the sport in the country.

The name Dali has also been associated with political and social activism. Dali Mpofu (born 1962) is a prominent South African lawyer and politician who has been a vocal advocate for human rights and social justice causes.

In the world of literature, Dali Dong (born 1973) is a renowned Chinese writer and poet whose works explore themes of identity, belonging, and the human condition. Her poetic and evocative writing has earned her critical acclaim and numerous literary awards.

It is important to note that while the name Dali has its roots in ancient Indian culture, it has transcended geographical and cultural boundaries, gaining recognition and popularity across various regions and societies throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Dali over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Dali in England and Wales, from 2000 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Dali, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 13 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
0371013200020122024

Decades

Dali by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Dali was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3943 32 5
2010s #4814 17 4
2000s #4407 16 5

Related

Names similar to Dali

FAQ

Dali: questions and answers

How popular is the name Dali in the UK right now?

In 2024, Dali was ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Dali most popular?

The peak year on record was 2021, with 13 babies registered as Dali in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Dali?

A name of Hindi origin meaning "brave or daring".

How many people are called Dali in the UK?

A total of 65 babies have been registered as Dali across the 14 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.