Dawson

Pronunciation: [ d-AWS-uhn ]

Girl Name #2,129 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A bold surname name with timeless roots

American English Australian

Modern Strong Bold Unique

Meaning & Origin

"son of David"

Origin: English

Language: English

"beloved one's descendant"

Origin: Hebrew via English

Language: English

The Story of Dawson

Dawson originated as an English patronymic surname meaning son of Daw, where Daw was a medieval nickname for David. The name David itself comes from the Hebrew Dawid, meaning beloved. Dawson transitioned from a surname to a given name in the 20th century, part of a broader trend of adopting surnames as first names.

Dawson gained attention as a given name in the 1990s, partly influenced by the TV show Dawson's Creek. While traditionally a boys name, it has increasingly been used for girls as parents seek gender-neutral surname names.

Dawson reflects the American tradition of giving children surname-style first names, particularly those with a strong, outdoorsy feel. The name has a frontier quality that appeals to parents seeking something that feels both classic and contemporary.

Fun Facts

Dawson was originally a medieval nickname for David
Dawson City in Canada's Yukon was named after geologist George Mercer Dawson
The name crossed from boys to girls during the 1990s unisex naming trend

Dawson in Other Languages

French Dawson

Spanish Dawson

Portuguese Dawson

Famous People Named Dawson

Rosario Dawson

Actor

1979

American actress known for Sin City, Rent, and numerous film and TV roles

Richard Dawson

Entertainer

1932

British-American comedian and game show host, famous for hosting Family Feud

Dawson Leery Fictional

Other

Fictional protagonist of the TV series Dawson's Creek, played by James Van Der Beek

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,129
Total SSA Count: 90
Cultural Origins: American English Australian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Dawsyn #3564

Common Nicknames

Daw Dawsi

Pairs Well With

Dawson Mae Dawson Rose Dawson Grace Dawson Lee Dawson Claire Dawson Jean

Sibling Names

Mason Carson Harper Quinn Avery Sawyer

Also a Boy Name

Dawson is also used as a boy name, ranked #139.

View Dawson as a boy name →

Similar Names

James Jesse Nathan Jackson Judson Major Madison Mason

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dawson

What does the name Dawson mean?

"son of David" (from English). "beloved one's descendant" (from Hebrew via English). Dawson originated as an English patronymic surname meaning son of Daw, where Daw was a medieval nickname for David. The name David itself comes from the Hebrew Dawid, meaning beloved. Dawson transitioned from a surname to a given name in the 20th century, part of a broader trend of adopting surnames as first names.

What is the origin of the name Dawson?

Dawson has English, Hebrew via English, American, and Australian origins. In English, it means "son of David". In Hebrew via English, it means "beloved one's descendant".

Is Dawson a boy or girl name?

Dawson is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2129. As a boy name, it is ranked #139. Dawson is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Dawson?

Dawson is pronounced d-AWS-uhn.

How popular is the name Dawson?

Dawson is currently ranked #2129 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Dawson?

Common nicknames for Dawson include Daw and Dawsi.

What are good middle names for Dawson?

Popular middle name pairings include Dawson Mae, Dawson Rose, Dawson Grace, Dawson Lee, Dawson Claire, and Dawson Jean.

What are good sibling names for Dawson?

Names that pair well with Dawson as siblings include Mason, Carson, Harper, Quinn, Avery, and Sawyer.

How many syllables does Dawson have?

Dawson has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Dawson a common or rare name?

Dawson is an uncommon name, ranked #2129 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Dawson

Dawson is a girl name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "son of David" in English .

Is Dawson a boy or girl name? Dawson is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,129 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #139. Dawson is more commonly used as a boy name.

Dawson is currently ranked #2,129 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Dawson has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AWS-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Dawson include Daw and Dawsi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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