Declining since 1985, #2,173 for girls today.
Popularity of Dawn since 1888
Babies named Dawn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 26 |
| 1900s | 30 |
| 1910s | 357 |
| 1920s | 1,464 |
| 1930s | 3,732 |
| 1940s | 8,631 |
| 1950s | 38,899 |
| 1960s | 114,293 |
| 1970s | 92,446 |
| 1980s | 22,406 |
| 1990s | 4,302 |
| 2000s | 1,577 |
| 2010s | 923 |
| 2020s | 550 |
Meaning & origin
Dawn is an English word name meaning the first light of day. It first entered U.S. birth records in 1888 and saw its peak popularity in 1970, when it reached its highest rank. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily falling. In 2025, it ranked 2,173 with an incidence of 1 in 18,909. The name was most popular in states like Washington, Georgia, and Florida during its heyday. Dawn belongs to a tradition of virtue names from nature, but it has not experienced a revival and remains a quiet classic from the mid-20th century.
Dawn is directly taken from the English word for the first light of day. It came into use as a given name in the late 19th century, fitting a broader trend of virtue and nature names (like Grace, Hope, and Rose). The name saw a surge in popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States, and has since declined.
Where Dawn is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Dawn” around the world
Where Dawn lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dawnie, Dawny
Sibling names for Dawn
Names that share Dawn's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Dawn, Hope, Grace, Faith, Joy, Crystal, Rhonda, Angle, Cheri, Christal, Dionne, Fawn, Lora, Lyn, Merrie, Saundra, Shandra, Apryl, Candis, Chere, Cheree, Dawne, Dede, Loni, Loree, Machelle, Crystle, Daun, Dawnelle, Denee, Deniece, Season, Sundra, Tawnia, Charee, Christol, Crystale, Crystol, Dauna, Daune, Dustine, Genee, Redonna, Sharena, Sharonne, Tamma, Tangy, Tawn, Avonne, Sundi, Chaunda, Chrystle, Dawnna, Dawt, Day, Krystall, Mellony, Morning, Ronne, Shalawn, Sundy, Sunset, Yuette
Brothers: Dawn, John, William, Robert, James, Daryl, Jay, Lamont, Damone, Demond, Donny, Brain, Dain, Dawayne, Detrick, Dyan, Lynell, Ronell, Chane, Dade, Dail, Dannon, Dawan, Demont, Denard, Denell, Dewon, Doni, Donyell, Dushawn, Rohn, Darryle, Derron, Donye, Dyon, Ladell, Dannis, Carols, Deddrick, Demarr, Duriel, Jontue, Rawn, Rawson, Shamond
Names like Dawn
Names whose popularity has moved with Dawn's over the last 50 years.
