"son of David"
Origin: English
Language: English
Dawson
Pronunciation: [ d-AWS-uhn ]
Does Dawson flow with your last name?
David's son, made famous by a creek and a TV classic
English
American
Modern
Classic
Strong
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Meaning & Origin
"beloved son"
Origin: Hebrew via English
Language: English
"son of David"
Origin: Medieval English patronymic
Language: English
"son of the beloved one"
Origin: English via Hebrew David
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Dawson
See all →What the Dawson report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Dawson the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Dawson's Creek (1998-2003) — TV association, some may find it dated, though it's generally positive
The Story of Dawson
Dawson is an English patronymic surname meaning son of David, where Daw was a medieval nickname for David. David itself comes from the Hebrew 'Dawid' meaning beloved or friend. As a surname, Dawson emerged in northern England and Scotland in the medieval period. Its transition to a given name follows the broader pattern of English surnames being adopted as first names, particularly popular in the American South and Midwest.
Dawson entered the US name charts in the late 1990s, receiving a significant boost from the teen drama Dawson's Creek (1998-2003), which starred James Van Der Beek as the introspective Dawson Leery. The show gave the name a sensitive, intellectual, coming-of-age quality that resonated with a generation of parents.
In pop culture, Dawson's Creek defined late-1990s teen television and made Dawson a name associated with earnest romanticism and self-reflection. The show launched the careers of Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson.
Historical Record
Dawson first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 49,192 babies have been named Dawson in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dawson is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #139 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Dawson's Creek (1998-2003) launched the careers of Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson
- Dawson is the county seat of Terrell County, Georgia, and the name appears in dozens of US place names
Dawson in Other Languages
French
Dawson
German
Dawson
Spanish
Dawson
Popularity Over Time
#139
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dawson
R
Rosario Dawson
Actor
1979
American actress known for Sin City, Rent, and her role as Ahsoka Tano in The Mandalorian
R
Richard Dawson
Entertainer
1932
British-American comedian and game show host
L
Les Dawson
Entertainer
1931
British comedian and television presenter, known for his deadpan humor and mother-in-law jokes
D
Dawson Creek (fictional)
Other
Fictional character from the TV show Dawsons Creek
D
Dawson Leery Fictional
Other
The sensitive, film-obsessed protagonist of the TV series Dawson's Creek (1998-2003), played by James Van Der Beek
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Logan
Boy
"Little hollow; from the little hollow place"
#46
Emerson
Boy
"son of Emery"
#270
Silas
Boy
"of the forest"
#81
Elias
Boy
"the Lord is my God"
#25
Warren
Boy
"park, game preserve"
#262
Compare Dawson with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #139
- Total SSA Count
- 2,576
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Daws
Daw
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dawson
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Dawson fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Dawson is also used as a girl name, ranked #2129.
View Dawson as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Dawson →Compare Dawson with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Dawson
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Dawson and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Dawson sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Logan
Boy
Scottish Gaelic origin
"Little hollow; from the little hollow..."
#46 in US
Emerson
Boy
English surname origin
"son of Emery"
#270 in US
Silas
Boy
Latin (Silvanus) origin
"of the forest"
#81 in US
Elias
Boy
Hebrew origin
"the Lord is my God"
#25 in US
Warren
Boy
Norman French origin
"park, game preserve"
#262 in US
Riley
Boy
Old English origin
"rye clearing"
#229 in US
Malachi
Boy
Hebrew origin
"messenger of God"
#149 in US
Waylon
Boy
Germanic/Norse mythology origin
"divine smith, master craftsman"
#65 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Dawson's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dawson
What does the name Dawson mean?
"son of David" (from English). "beloved son" (from Hebrew via English). "son of David" (from Medieval English patronymic). "son of the beloved one" (from English via Hebrew David). Dawson is an English patronymic surname meaning son of David, where Daw was a medieval nickname for David. David itself comes from the Hebrew 'Dawid' meaning beloved or friend. As a surname, Dawson emerged in northern England and Scotland in the medieval period. Its transition to a given name follows the broader pattern of English surnames being adopted as first names, particularly popular in the American South and Midwest.
What is the origin of the name Dawson?
Dawson has English, Hebrew via English, Medieval English patronymic, English via Hebrew David, and American origins. In English, it means "son of David". In Hebrew via English, it means "beloved son". In Medieval English patronymic, it means "son of David". In English via Hebrew David, it means "son of the beloved one".
Is Dawson a boy or girl name?
Dawson is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #139. As a girl name, it is ranked #2129. Dawson is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Dawson?
Dawson is pronounced d-AWS-uhn.
How popular is the name Dawson?
Dawson is currently ranked #139 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dawson?
Common nicknames for Dawson include Daws and Daw.
What are good middle names for Dawson?
Popular middle name pairings include Dawson James, Dawson Cole, Dawson Lee, Dawson Blake, Dawson Reid, Dawson Thomas, and Dawson Grant.
What are good sibling names for Dawson?
Names that pair well with Dawson as siblings include Hudson, Easton, Greyson, Harper, Presley, and Peyton.
How many syllables does Dawson have?
Dawson has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dawson a common or rare name?
Dawson is a popular name, ranked #139 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Dawson?
Are there other spellings for Dawson?
Related spellings include Dawsyn.
About the Name Dawson
Dawson is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "son of David" in English .
Is Dawson a boy or girl name? Dawson is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #139 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,129. Dawson is more commonly used as a boy name.
Dawson is currently ranked #139 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Dawson has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AWS-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dawson include Daws and Daw. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dawson include Dawsyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
English Names
Browse all names with this origin
D
Names Starting with D
More boy names like Dawson
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis