"first light of day, sunrise"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Dawn
Pronunciation: [ d-AWN ]
Does Dawn flow with your last name?
The first light, eternal and hopeful
English
American
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Gentle
Classic
Earthy
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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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.
Historical Record
Dawn first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 275,307 babies have been named Dawn in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dawn is past its peak , currently ranked #1,850 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#1,850
Current Rank
Peaked 1971
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dawn
D
Dawn Robinson
Musician
1968
American R&B singer, member of the group En Vogue
D
Dawn Schafer Fictional
Other
Character in Ann M. Martin's 'The Baby-Sitters Club' book series, the health-conscious member from California
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See all →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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dawn
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Dawn is also used as a boy name, ranked #16896.
View Dawn as a boy name →Similar Names
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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.
What girl names are similar to Dawn?
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.
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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