The first name Dawson

In 2025, 81 boys were named Dawson, making it the 478th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2015, with 86 births (#470).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Dawson with other names.

In 2025, 2,487 boys born in the United States were named Dawson, the 143rd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1999, when 2,802 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Dawson Mercer
  Canadian ice hockey player, born 2001
• Dawson Turner
  English banker, botanist and antiquary (1775-1858)
• Dawson Knox
  American football player (born 1996)
• Dawson Mathis
  American politician (1940-2017)
• Richard Kiel
  American actor (1939–2014)
• Johnny Winter
  American blues guitarist and singer (1944–2014)
• Daws Butler
  American voice actor (1916–1988)

• Tyler
• Alfred
• Blake
• Grayson
• Stanley
• Tom
• Wyatt
• Miles
• Brandon
• Maxwell
• Landon
• Bradley
• Spencer
• Wesley
• Colton
• Hugh

All 216 names of English origin

What does the name Dawson mean?

From Daw, a Middle English pet form of David + -son.

What is the origin of the name Dawson?

From Daw, a Middle English pet form of David + -son.

How popular is the name Dawson?

In 2025, 81 boys born in England and Wales were named Dawson, ranking 478th. Its peak was 2015, with 86 births.

Is Dawson a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 97% of the 54,199 US babies named Dawson since 1880 were boys.

When was Dawson most popular?

1999 in the United States, when 2,802 babies were named Dawson, its highest rank at 136th.

How do you pronounce Dawson?

Dawson is /ˈdɔːsən/, 2 syllables.

Is Dawson also a surname?

Yes. Dawson is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.