"sleeping vision, aspiration"
Origin: Old Norse
Language: English
Dream
Pronunciation: [ dr-EEM ]
Does Dream flow with your last name?
Bold, one-syllable wonder meaning joy and music
American
English
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Whimsical
Bold
Modern
Playful
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"joy, music"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- May seem too aspirational or burdensome as a name to carry into adulthood
The Story of Dream
Dream comes from the Old English 'drēam,' which originally meant 'noise, joy, or music' rather than the sleeping visions we associate it with today. The modern meaning of dream as a sleeping vision came from the Old Norse 'draumr.' As a baby name, Dream is an aspirational word name in the tradition of American naming that uses virtues and beautiful concepts as names — Hope, Grace, Faith, Serenity.
Dream jumped onto American naming charts after Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna named their daughter Dream Renée Kardashian in November 2016. The celebrity connection brought the name from virtually unused to a recognized, discussed name option almost overnight.
Dream is part of the American tradition of aspirational or virtue names that carries cultural baggage of hope and optimism. The Old English 'drēam' meaning 'music' or 'joy' gives the name a deeper etymology than parents might realize — it literally means joy.
Historical Record
Dream first appeared in US Social Security records in 1970.
Over 7,043 babies have been named Dream in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dream is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #368 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Old English word 'drēam' originally meant 'joy' or 'music' — not sleeping visions
- Dream Kardashian, daughter of Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna, was born in November 2016
- Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech (1963) is one of the most quoted speeches in American history
Dream in Other Languages
French
Rêve
German
Traum
Italian
Sogno
Spanish
Sueño
Portuguese
Sonho
Popularity Over Time
#368
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dream
D
Dream Kardashian
Other
2016
Daughter of Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna, whose birth in 2016 brought the name Dream into mainstream use
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Compare Dream with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #368
- Total SSA Count
- 846
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Nicknames
Dre
Dry
Drie
Drekins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Distinctive pick, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dream
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Dream is also used as a boy name, ranked #2236.
View Dream as a boy name →Similar Names
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Old English origin
"the raven, large black crow"
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Old English origin
"grassy field, open pasture"
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"alive, living"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dream
What does the name Dream mean?
"sleeping vision, aspiration" (from Old Norse). "joy, music" (from Old English). Dream comes from the Old English 'drēam,' which originally meant 'noise, joy, or music' rather than the sleeping visions we associate it with today. The modern meaning of dream as a sleeping vision came from the Old Norse 'draumr.' As a baby name, Dream is an aspirational word name in the tradition of American naming that uses virtues and beautiful concepts as names — Hope, Grace, Faith, Serenity.
What is the origin of the name Dream?
Dream has Old Norse, Old English, American, and English origins. In Old Norse, it means "sleeping vision, aspiration". In Old English, it means "joy, music".
Is Dream a boy or girl name?
Dream is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #368. As a boy name, it is ranked #2236. Dream is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Dream?
Dream is pronounced dr-EEM.
How popular is the name Dream?
Dream is currently ranked #368 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dream?
Common nicknames for Dream include Dre, Dry, Drie, and Drekins.
What are good middle names for Dream?
Popular middle name pairings include Dream Marie, Dream Rose, Dream Nicole, Dream Renee, Dream Louise, Dream Jade, and Dream Belle.
What are good sibling names for Dream?
Names that pair well with Dream as siblings include True, Psalm, North, Saint, Heaven, Royal, and Reign.
How many syllables does Dream have?
Dream has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dream a common or rare name?
Dream is a popular name, ranked #368 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Dream?
Are there other spellings for Dream?
Related spellings include Drea.
About the Name Dream
Dream is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "sleeping vision, aspiration" in Old Norse .
Is Dream a boy or girl name? Dream is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #368 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,236. Dream is more commonly used as a girl name.
Dream is currently ranked #368 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Dream has 1 syllable and is pronounced dr-EEM, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dream include Dre, Dry, Drie, and Drekins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dream include Drea . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis