Girl · 889th of 19,264
Dawna
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
6,017
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1966
Peak Popularity Year
264
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Dawna stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Dawna is an English name derived from the Old English word for 'day', reflecting its meaning of 'daybreak' or 'dawn'. It evolved from the name Dawn, with historical forms tracing back to Old English. The name is associated with traits of optimism and new beginnings, and it has no direct biblical relevance. Dawna gained popularity in the 20th century as a feminine variant, with notable figures bearing the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdɔːnə/
Origin
English
Etymology
Dawna is a feminine form of the name Dawn, which derives from the Old English word 'dæge', meaning 'day' or 'to dawn'.
Meaning
Daybreak, dawn
Language Evolution
Dæge (Old English), Dawn (Middle English), Dawna (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Dawna emerged as a distinct name in the 20th century as a feminine variant of Dawn, gaining popularity in the United States.
Variants & Derivatives
Dawn, Dawnie
Modern Popularity & Image
Dawna is perceived as a soft and gentle name, often associated with new beginnings and positivity.
Famous People
Dawna Friesen - Canadian journalist, Dawna McGowan - American author
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 264 peak births in 1966
Geographic Spread
Popular across 27 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 7 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4292nd of 9107 | 79 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1752nd of 9204 | 394 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 912th of 12526 | 2,294 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 889th of 19264 | 2,412 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2642nd of 27321 | 678 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 10954th of 35406 | 137 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 20672nd of 30306 | 23 |