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Dawson Unisex

Popularity: #135 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationDAW-suhn / /ˈdɔːsən/

English; Scottish

Meaning

English: 'son of David'; Scottish: 'from the town of Dawson'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Dawson has its roots in the Old English surname "Dawson," which means "son of David." The name David itself is of Hebrew origin, derived from the word "dāwīḏ," meaning "beloved." The transition from Hebrew to English occurred through several linguistic stages, including Greek and Latin, before becoming a surname in medieval England. The use of surnames became more common in England during the 12th century, and Dawson emerged as a patronymic form, indicating lineage from an ancestor named David.

Historically, the name David has significant biblical connections, as it is borne by one of the most prominent figures in the Old Testament, known for his role as the second king of Israel and a central character in various biblical narratives. The popularity of the name Dawson as a given name can be traced back to the 19th century, when it began to be used more frequently in English-speaking countries, often reflecting a trend of adopting surnames as first names during that period.

Culturally, the name Dawson carries connotations of strength and leadership, echoing the qualities associated with its biblical namesake, David. The name has also been linked to various historical figures and places, further embedding it in the cultural consciousness. In literature and media, characters named Dawson have appeared, contributing to its resonance in storytelling. The diminutive form "Daw" has been used informally, though it is less common. Overall, the name Dawson reflects a rich heritage, connecting linguistic roots with historical significance and cultural associations.

Trend Summary

Dawson has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Dawson

International Variants

Famous people named Dawson

Dawson Leery is a fictional character best known for the television series Dawson's Creek.

Dawson's Creek is a television series best known for its portrayal of teenage life and relationships.

Fictional characters named Dawson

Dawson Leery is a fictional character from the TV series Dawson's Creek. He is the central character who navigates the complexities of adolescence and relationships in a small town.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Dawson was first seen in the United States in 1885. Dawson has ranked as high as #249 nationally, which occurred in 1999, and has been most popular in Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Dawson has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Dawson (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 179
7%
OH 133
5%
CA 124
5%
PA 121
5%
NC 115
5%
MI 111
4%
NY 109
4%
GA 105
4%
FL 103
4%
TN 89
4%
IN 83
3%
MO 83
3%
UT 66
3%
IL 66
3%
KY 63
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18855
18878
18888
18895
18907
18917
18985
19005
19016
190410
19055
19076
19096
191011
191113
191214
191319
191424
191530
191624
191730
191828
191927
192033
192136
192235
192328
192435
192531
192627
192722
192834
192923
193022
193128
193218
193320
193416
193527
193629
193726
193813
193932
194030
194117
194221
194320
194428
194516
194622
194740
194839
194931
195028
195132
195226
195327
195423
195516
195616
195727
195821
195917
196017
196116
196219
196321
196411
196512
196616
196712
196820
196915
197025
197116
197214
197320
197436
197518
197624
197717
197818
197923
198030
198123
198231
198319
198432
198534
198628
198744
198847
198967
199065
199175
199285
1993117
1994158
1995149
1996195
1997209
19981,895
19992,802
20002,312
20012,030
20021,953
20031,805
20041,763
20051,600
20061,550
20071,409
20081,292
20091,154
20101,168
20111,012
20121,036
20131,036
20141,083
20151,594
20161,794
20172,017
20182,099
20191,960
20201,918
20211,829
20222,045
20232,449
20242,576