Dagan is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "grain" or "corn". It is derived from the Hebrew word דגן (daggan), which refers to cereal crops such as wheat and barley. In the Bible, Dagan was also the name of a Canaanite god associated with grain and fertility.
The name Dagan has a rich history in the ancient Near East. It was often used by various Semitic-speaking peoples, including the Akkadians, Amorites, and Hebrews. In the Old Testament, Dagan appears as one of the seven Canaanite nations whom God commanded the Israelites to dispossess.
The name Dagan is not particularly common today, but it can still be found among people of Jewish and Middle Eastern descent. It is sometimes spelled with alternative spellings such as Daghan or Dagwan. Despite its rare usage, Dagan remains a name with significant historical and cultural significance in the region.
The name Dagan has seen a varied pattern of popularity in the United States over the past five decades. From 1969 to 1975, there were fewer than 10 births per year with this name, with a peak of just 16 births in 1974. However, starting in 1996, there was a significant increase in popularity, with over 26 births each year until 2008. The peak of popularity for the name Dagan occurred in 2002, with 49 births that year.
From 2003 to 2015, the number of births with the name Dagan fluctuated between a low of 13 births in 2015 and a high of 32 births in 2011. However, since 2016, the popularity of the name has decreased again, with fewer than 20 births each year.
Overall, from 1969 to 2021, there have been a total of 1070 births with the name Dagan in the United States. This demonstrates that while the name has seen periods of popularity and decline over the years, it remains a recognizable and meaningful choice for parents across several decades.