Dawn

Pronunciation: [ d-AWN ]

Girl Name #1,850 Most Popular Hidden Gem 1 Syllable

The first light, eternal and hopeful

English American

Vintage Gentle Classic Earthy Minimalist

Meaning & Origin

"first light of day, sunrise"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

The Story of Dawn

Dawn comes from Old English 'dagian,' meaning to become day. It emerged as a given name in the early 20th century, part of the nature-word naming movement. The word has existed in English since at least the 14th century, derived from Old Norse 'dagning.' The name evokes new beginnings, hope, and the daily miracle of sunrise.

Dawn peaked in the United States during the 1950s-1970s, appearing in pop culture including the song 'Dawn (Go Away)' by The Four Seasons (1964). It has since declined but retains nostalgic warmth.

Dawn has been celebrated across cultures for millennia — the Roman goddess Aurora, the Greek goddess Eos, and the Norse dawn all celebrate the same moment. The English word name captures this universal reverence.

Fun Facts

Dawn was a top-50 name in the US from 1960-1975
The Four Seasons' 1964 hit 'Dawn (Go Away)' was written for a woman named Dawn Allison

Dawn in Other Languages

Greek Eos

Latin Aurora

French Aube

Italian Alba

Spanish Alba

Famous People Named Dawn

Dawn Robinson

Musician

1968

American R&B singer, member of the group En Vogue

Dawn Schafer Fictional

Other

Character in Ann M. Martin's 'The Baby-Sitters Club' book series, the health-conscious member from California

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #1,850
Total SSA Count: 108
Cultural Origins: English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Dawson #2129 Dawsyn #3564

Pairs Well With

Dawn Marie Dawn Elizabeth Dawn Michelle Dawn Renee Dawn Louise Dawn Ann

Sibling Names

April Joy Gail Lynn Heather Glen

Also a Boy Name

Dawn is also used as a boy name, ranked #16896.

View Dawn as a boy name →

Similar Names

Diana Dan Vaughn Von Jon Deanna Toni Danna

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dawn

What does the name Dawn mean?

"first light of day, sunrise" (from Old English). Dawn comes from Old English 'dagian,' meaning to become day. It emerged as a given name in the early 20th century, part of the nature-word naming movement. The word has existed in English since at least the 14th century, derived from Old Norse 'dagning.' The name evokes new beginnings, hope, and the daily miracle of sunrise.

What is the origin of the name Dawn?

Dawn has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "first light of day, sunrise".

Is Dawn a boy or girl name?

Dawn is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1850. As a boy name, it is ranked #16896. Dawn is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Dawn?

Dawn is pronounced d-AWN.

How popular is the name Dawn?

Dawn is currently ranked #1850 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Dawn?

Popular middle name pairings include Dawn Marie, Dawn Elizabeth, Dawn Michelle, Dawn Renee, Dawn Louise, and Dawn Ann.

What are good sibling names for Dawn?

Names that pair well with Dawn as siblings include April, Joy, Gail, Lynn, Heather, and Glen.

How many syllables does Dawn have?

Dawn has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Dawn a common or rare name?

Dawn is an uncommon name, ranked #1850 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Dawn

Dawn is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "first light of day, sunrise" in Old English .

Is Dawn a boy or girl name? Dawn is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,850 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #16,896. Dawn is more commonly used as a girl name.

Dawn is currently ranked #1,850 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Dawn has 1 syllable and is pronounced d-AWN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Alternative spellings of Dawn include Dawson, Dawsyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.