Dawson
How to say it: DAW-sun · /ˈdɔsən/
English surname meaning son of Daw (a medieval pet form of David); used as a given name from the 1990s.
Dawson was the 157th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 2,487 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 55% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #128 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #157 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 2,487 |
| Share of births | 1 in 1,322 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +55% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #128 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,664 among boys’ names, 10 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Rising through recent years, Dawson reached its best showing in the 2020s. Forecasts point toward further gains ahead.
What goes with it
Crisp consonants carry a breathy finish. Hudson matches in tone and Daw gives a clipped option.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Dawson is about 1 in 56.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #1,664 for boys in 2025.
England and Wales: #479. Ireland: #441.
Famous people named Dawson
- Dawson Mercer (born 2001)Canadian ice hockey player
- Dawson Knox (born 1996)American football player
- Dawson Turner (1775–1858)English banker, botanist and antiquary
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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