Dawson is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from an occupational surname that was originally given to someone who worked as a dawson, which is an old term for a dark-skinned person or a servant. The name Dawson is believed to have evolved from the Middle English word "dauseun," which was used to describe someone with a dark complexion.
The meaning of the name Dawson is not well-documented, but it is thought to be related to the Old English word "daege" or "dag," which means "day." Therefore, some people associate the name Dawson with the idea of brightness or light. However, others believe that the name Dawson is simply an occupational surname that does not have a specific meaning.
The history of the name Dawson can be traced back to medieval England, where it was first recorded as a surname. It is believed to have originated in the county of Yorkshire, although it has since spread throughout England and beyond. The name Dawson became popular as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in North America.
Some notable people with the given name Dawson include:
* Dawson City, a town in the Yukon territory of Canada, named after George Mercer Dawson, a geologist who explored the area in the late 19th century.
* Dawson Starling, an American actor and comedian who is known for his work on the television show "The Good Place."
* Dawson Gauthier, a Canadian ice hockey player who currently plays for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League.
Overall, Dawson is a unique and distinctive given name that has evolved from an occupational surname. While its meaning is not well-documented, some people associate it with the idea of brightness or light. Its history can be traced back to medieval England, where it was first recorded as a surname. Today, Dawson remains a popular given name, particularly in North America.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Dawson has seen significant fluctuations in popularity over time in the United States.
From 1885 to around 1960, the number of births with the name Dawson remained relatively low and stable, ranging from 5 to 36 births per year. However, beginning in 1964, there was a notable increase in the popularity of the name, with over 100 births recorded annually.
The peak of popularity for the name Dawson occurred between 1998 and 2003, during which time over 1700 births were recorded each year. This period marked a significant rise in the use of the name compared to previous decades.
Since then, the popularity of the name has continued to fluctuate but has remained relatively high compared to its early years. Between 2004 and 2023, the number of births with the name Dawson ranged from approximately 1000 to 2400 annually.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that while the name Dawson may have started as a less common choice in the United States, it has gained significant popularity over time, particularly since the mid-1960s.