Dawkins is a surname of English origin that is derived from the Old English word "dac", which means "dark". The name was likely given to someone who lived in a dark-colored house or had a dark complexion.
The earliest known record of the surname Dawkins appears in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where William Dawkin is listed in Cambridgeshire. Over time, various spellings of the name have emerged, including Dakin, Dickens, and Darkin.
Today, Dawkins is still a relatively rare surname, but it can be found in several countries around the world. In the United States, for example, there are estimated to be around 3,000 people with the last name Dawkins.
Notable individuals with the surname Dawkins include Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist and author known for his work on evolution and atheism; and Mary Dawkins, a British artist who specialized in painting landscapes and portraits.
Statistics for the name Dawkins in the United States are quite interesting. According to available data, there were only five babies born with this unique name in the year 2017. This figure represents the total number of births that occurred across the entire nation during that specific year.
While Dawkins may not be a very common choice for parents when it comes to naming their newborns, it is still noteworthy that this name has seen some usage in recent years. In fact, every one of those five babies born in 2017 contributed to keeping the name Dawkins alive and present in the American baby naming landscape.
It's also worth mentioning that these statistics are based on registered births and may not include all instances where the name Dawkins was given but not officially recorded. Nonetheless, they provide a useful snapshot of how frequently this particular name has been chosen during a specific time period.
In conclusion, while Dawkins might not be one of the most popular baby names in America at present, it does hold some significance as it has appeared on five birth certificates within just one year – namely 2017. This small but notable figure demonstrates that even less common names like Dawkins continue to make their mark among American parents choosing names for their newborns.