gender neutral
Dawson
son of David
About Dawson
Strong and straightforward, this surname-turned-first-name brings timeless appeal to modern parenting. The solid consonants give it a grounded, substantial feel that suggests reliability and strength. It's a name that has steadily gained popularity without becoming oversaturated, maintaining that perfect balance of familiar and fresh. The two-syllable structure makes it easy to say and remember, while the "son" ending connects it to traditional naming patterns that honor family lineage. Boys named Dawson often project an all-American sensibility—think leadership potential, athletic ability, and easy social confidence. The name works beautifully across different stages of life, from elementary school through retirement, never sounding out of place or dated. It pairs well with both classic and contemporary middle names, offering flexibility in creating a complete name combination. Parents who choose this name often value its no-nonsense quality—there's nothing pretentious or overly elaborate here, just solid, dependable naming that withstands trends and time. The name suggests someone who others turn to in times of need, a natural leader who earns respect through character rather than flash.
Popularity of the Name Dawson
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1885 | #971 | |||
| 1887 | #698 | |||
| 1888 | #762 | |||
| 1889 | #1000 | |||
| 1890 | #825 | |||
| 1891 | #783 | |||
| 1901 | #974 | |||
| 1904 | #769 | |||
| 1910 | #993 | |||
| 1911 | #935 | |||
| 1994 | #851 | #405 | ||
| 1995 | #894 | #338 | ||
| 1996 | #757 | #340 | ||
| 1997 | #733 | #324 | ||
| 1998 | #175 | #77 | ||
| 1999 | #136 | #996 | #55 | |
| 2000 | #168 | #855 | #71 | |
| 2001 | #183 | #869 | #83 | |
| 2002 | #193 | #982 | #85 | |
| 2003 | #204 | #104 | ||
| 2004 | #206 | #890 | #114 | |
| 2005 | #221 | #984 | #132 | |
| 2006 | #233 | #857 | #131 | |
| 2007 | #250 | #708 | #139 | |
| 2008 | #269 | #804 | #167 | |
| 2009 | #284 | #729 | #184 | |
| 2010 | #289 | #621 | #637 | #195 |
| 2011 | #315 | #564 | #558 | #213 |
| 2012 | #316 | #722 | #240 | |
| 2013 | #320 | #559 | #764 | #223 |
| 2014 | #320 | #613 | #384 | #239 |
| 2015 | #238 | #442 | #359 | #196 |
| 2016 | #216 | #449 | #264 | #187 |
| 2017 | #196 | #481 | #357 | #186 |
| 2018 | #194 | #509 | #419 | #136 |
| 2019 | #202 | #460 | #304 | #173 |
| 2020 | #197 | #524 | #226 | #157 |
| 2021 | #207 | #516 | #262 | #137 |
| 2022 | #184 | #468 | #303 | #129 |
| 2023 | #149 | #524 | #357 | #145 |
| 2024 | #139 | #485 | #270 | #127 |
| 2025 | #143 | #403 | #427 | #135 |
| 1991 | #746 | |||
| 1992 | #469 | |||
| 1993 | #427 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Dawson
- Daweson
- Dawsen
- Dawston
- Dawso
Names Similar to Dawson
Nicknames for Dawson
- Daws
- Dawsy
- Don
- Sonny
- Daw
Famous People Named Dawson
| Dawson Leery | Fictional character from the TV series "Dawson's Creek" |
| Dawson Trotman | Founder of the Navigators Christian organization |
| Dawson Knox | Professional American football player |
| Dawson Dunbar | Australian politician |
| Dawson Ruhl | American singer-songwriter |
| Dawson Grant | Scottish cricketer |
| Dawson Irvine | British diplomat and former ambassador to China |
| Dawson Hinkley | American inventor |
| Dawson L. Trotman | Canadian-American politician |
| Dawson Stelfox | Irish mountaineer |
| Dawson Turner | British banker and botanist |
| Dawson Palmer | English cricketer |
| Dawson Odums | American football coach |
| Dawson Warren | Canadian lawyer and politician |
| Dawson White | Australian rules footballer |
| Dawson Carroll | American baseball player |
| Dawson Guyon | French sculptor |
| Dawson's Field hijackings | Group of airplane hijackings in 1970 |
| Dawson Sodd | Australian rugby league player |
| Dawson Mathis | American politician |
Characters Named Dawson
| Dawson Leery | Main character from the TV series "Dawson's Creek" |
| Dawson Cole | Protagonist from the novel and film "The Best of Me" by Nicholas Sparks |
| Dawson Finn | Character from the TV show "iCarly" |
| Dawson Walker | Character from the film "Surf's Up" |
| Dawson Mitchell | Character from the film "San Andreas" |