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.
Etymology & Cultural Background
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'
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 15,724 peak births in 1970
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Delaware
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (10 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 10 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
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 by Generation - 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 by Generation - 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
This map shows relative popularity 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Delaware 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, usage 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, popularity patterns vary significantly: 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. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.