Dawn is an English given name of recent origin. It was first used in the late 19th century and gained popularity in the mid-20th century. The name Dawn has a simple yet meaningful significance, as it refers to the first light of daybreak or the early morning.
The use of Dawn as a given name is believed to have originated from the practice of naming children after natural elements or phenomena. This trend became popular during the late Victorian era and continued throughout the 20th century. Other names inspired by nature that gained popularity around the same time include Sunshine, Moonbeam, and Willow.
Historically, Dawn has not been a particularly common name, but it has appeared in various forms of literature and media over the years. For example, Dawn O'Hara is a character in L.M. Montgomery's novel "Anne of Avonlea," while Dawn Summers is a main character in Joss Whedon's television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." These appearances may have contributed to the name's increased visibility and popularity.
Overall, Dawn is an attractive and unique given name that carries with it a simple yet profound meaning. Its origins can be traced back to the late 19th century, when naming children after natural elements became fashionable. Today, Dawn remains a distinctive choice for parents looking for a meaningful and memorable name for their daughter.
Statistics on the name Dawn reveal a fascinating trend over time in the United States. The name first gained popularity in the early 20th century, with a total of 7 babies named Dawn born in 1923.
Interest in the name grew steadily throughout the 1920s and 1930s, with an average of around 6 births per year during this period. The decade of the 1950s saw a significant increase in popularity for the name, with a peak of 37 births in 1964.
The 1960s and early 1970s were the most popular decades for the name Dawn, with over 40 births per year on average during this time. The name reached its peak popularity in 1975, with a total of 54 babies named Dawn born that year.
However, popularity began to decline steadily after the mid-1970s, with fewer than 20 babies named Dawn born each year throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. The name continued to lose favor in subsequent decades, with only a handful of births per year recorded since then.
In total, there have been 1,034 babies named Dawn born in the United States since records began. Despite its decline in popularity in recent years, the name Dawn remains a classic choice for parents looking for a timeless and meaningful name for their child.