Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Dawson originates from Old English, meaning 'son of Daw', which is a diminutive of 'David', a significant biblical name. The name has evolved from 'Daw' to 'David' and finally to 'Dawson'. It reflects a modern and trendy persona and has biblical relevance through its connection to David. Its usage as a surname became popular in the 19th century.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdɔːsən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
Dawson is derived from the Old English personal name 'Daw' which is a diminutive form of the name 'David'. The suffix '-son' signifies 'son of', thus meaning 'son of Daw'.
Meaning
son of Daw
Language Evolution
Daw, David, Dawson
Biblical Background
The name has biblical roots as 'David' is a prominent figure in the Bible.
Historical Usage
Dawson gained popularity as a surname in England during the 19th century and has since become a common given name.
Variants & Derivatives
Daw, David, Dawsy
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Dawson is perceived as a modern and trendy name, often associated with youthful energy.
Famous People
Dawson Leery (fictional character from 'Dawson's Creek'), Dawson T. H. Chan (Chinese-American artist)
📊 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 2,834 peak births in 1999
Geographic Spread
Popular across 50 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (2 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 2 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 | 1294th of 7545 | 500 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1428th of 6773 | 420 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1609th of 7552 | 449 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2107th of 10718 | 316 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1224th of 16616 | 1,169 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 226th of 24088 | 24,990 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 212th of 23106 | 22,400 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5215th of 35406 | 392 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2369th of 30306 | 924 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
77.23% 1065th/1379 |
69.40% 1642nd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
75.26% 1171st/1556 |
77.56% 1825th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
53.21% 1293rd/2430 |
68.03% 1941st/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
63.82% 2223rd/3483 |
64.38% 2265th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
32.05% 1181st/3685 |
48.92% 2189th/4475 |
23.22% 1206th/5194 |
22.48% 1420th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
3.69% 169th/4582 |
6.72% 347th/5164 |
2.75% 201st/7313 |
4.02% 300th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
3.79% 151st/3984 |
6.24% 280th/4487 |
2.67% 182nd/6822 |
4.75% 298th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
63.71% 4659th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
53.99% 2151st/3984 |
- |
36.28% 2475th/6822 |
56.39% 3539th/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 Alaska across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining 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, too falling for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling 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 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 1294th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1428th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1609th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2107th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1224th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 226th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 212th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5215th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2369th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
