Dawn

♂ Boy

Pronounced DAWN /ˈdɔːn/High

Meaning: The English word Dawn, 'daybreak; the first light of day.' It is overwhelmingly a girl's name; use for a boy is very rare, and we flag the strong lean.Medium

In 30 seconds: A luminous word-name: Dawn means 'daybreak; first light' (said 'DAWN'). Usually a girl's name - we note the strong lean.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningThe English word Dawn, 'daybreak; the first light of day.' It is overwhelmingly a girl's name; use for a boy is very rare, and we flag the strong lean.

U.S. rank (2024)#11209 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1975

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,040

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Dawn is the English word for the first light of day, taken up as a given name in the twentieth century. It is overwhelmingly a girl's name; boys' use is very rare, and we flag the strong lean. Bright and short at the root (said 'DAWN').

For boys it appears only very rarely in the U.S., against far heavier girls' use. Rare for boys, luminous, and word-based.

Did you know? Dawn is the English word for 'daybreak; the first light of day' - a bright nature word-name that is overwhelmingly a girl's name, which we note (said 'DAWN').

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Dawn — English word 'daybreak'; overwhelmingly a girl's name

Variations

DonDawneDawson

Nicknames

DDawnie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Dawn…

Dawson— a like -aw sound boy's name

Don— a near-homophone boy's name

Shaun— a like short -aun name

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Explore names like Dawn

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Dawn mean?

Dawn is the English word for 'daybreak; the first light of day.'

How do you pronounce Dawn?

It's said DAWN /ˈdɔːn/ - one syllable, like 'lawn.'

Is Dawn a boy or girl name?

Here Dawn is used as a boy's name, though it is overwhelmingly a girl's name - we note the strong lean.

How popular is Dawn?

Dawn is very rare for boys in the U.S. and far more common for girls.