Dawn Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Dawn' has Old English roots, meaning 'daybreak' or 'morning'. It has evolved through various historical forms and reflects traits associated with new beginnings. There is no significant biblical relevance associated with the name. It gained popularity in the 20th century as a feminine name and currently carries a positive and serene image.
The name Dawn is most popular in Delaware, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Dawn has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Dawn' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5519th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3525th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2250th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1473rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5362nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 21740th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 817th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 310th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 95th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 27th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 208th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1306th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2076th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Dawn' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Dawn"
Pronunciation
/dɔːn/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name 'Dawn' originates from the Old English word 'dæge', which means 'day' or 'daybreak'. It is used to signify the first light of day.
Meaning
daybreak, morning
Language Evolution
Old English: dæn, Middle English: dawen, Modern English: Dawn
Historical Usage
The name 'Dawn' gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, particularly in the mid-1900s, as a given name for girls.
Variants & Derivatives
Dawna, Dawne
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, 'Dawn' is perceived as a gentle and serene name, often associated with new beginnings and positivity.
Famous People
Dawn French - British actress and comedian, Dawn Wells - American actress known for her role in 'Gilligan's Island'
Explore More Dawn Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Dawn"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Dawn"
"Dawn" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5519th of 7545 | 22 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3525th of 6773 | 81 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2250th of 7552 | 247 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1473rd of 10718 | 555 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5362nd of 16616 | 129 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 21740th of 23106 | 6 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 817th of 9107 | 1,440 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 310th of 9204 | 7,939 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 95th of 12526 | 90,706 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 27th of 19264 | 164,244 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 208th of 27321 | 21,417 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1306th of 35406 | 2,665 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2076th of 30306 | 1,110 |
Regional Popularity of "Dawn" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
63.27% 1409th/2227 |
54.94% 1335th/2430 |
- |
60.61% 1682nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
40.25% 1182nd/2937 |
41.40% 1442nd/3483 |
64.38% 2265th/3518 |
40.63% 1643rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Dawn" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
36.23% 513th/1416 |
40.03% 552nd/1379 |
100.00% 2366th/2366 |
46.23% 528th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
16.30% 252nd/1546 |
12.47% 194th/1556 |
29.88% 703rd/2353 |
18.55% 287th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
2.92% 65th/2227 |
3.05% 74th/2430 |
6.10% 174th/2853 |
3.82% 106th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
0.61% 18th/2937 |
0.46% 16th/3483 |
1.36% 48th/3518 |
0.84% 34th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
4.56% 168th/3685 |
3.93% 176th/4475 |
4.52% 235th/5194 |
4.75% 300th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
25.08% 1149th/4582 |
24.59% 1270th/5164 |
20.36% 1489th/7313 |
20.78% 1551st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
57.53% 2292nd/3984 |
53.49% 2400th/4487 |
30.72% 2096th/6822 |
34.86% 2188th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Dawn"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Dawn" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.