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.
The name Dawson experienced a significant shift in popularity over the years. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was relatively uncommon, with fewer than 35 births per year on average between 1885 and 1932. However, beginning around 1933, there was a notable increase in its popularity, reaching over 100 births per year by the late 1940s.
The peak of Dawson's popularity came in the late 1990s to early 2000s, with over 1,800 births per year occurring between 1997 and 2003. Since then, its popularity has somewhat declined, but it remains a relatively common name, with around 1,000 to 2,500 births per year between 2004 and 2023.
Overall, the name Dawson has had a total of approximately 47,700 births from 1885 to 2023.