Dawson

At a Glance

Meaning

Son of Daw, a medieval pet form of David — effectively "son of David"

Origin

English (patronymic surname)

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

DAW-sunListen

Dawson is an English surname name, pronounced DAW-sun, that started life as a patronymic — it comes from "Daw," a medieval pet form of David, so it literally means "son of Daw" (in effect, "son of David"). It's a boy's name with a timeless, classic style. If you're weighing it for a son, you're choosing a name with clear roots in an occupational-style English surname tradition rather than a symbolic or nature-based meaning.

Meaning & Origin of Dawson

Meaning: Son of Daw, a medieval pet form of David — effectively "son of David".

Origin: English (patronymic surname).

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Dawson

Popularity of Dawson

Dawson has held remarkably steady across SSA records dating back to 1885: it peaked at #136 in 1999 with 2,802 babies given the name, and in 2024 it ranked #139 with 2,576 — nearly the same position and volume 25 years later.

Names Like Dawson

These names share Dawson’s style, era or origin.

• Andy
• Beckett
• Beckham
• Bodie
• Bradley
• Brock

FAQ

What does the name Dawson mean?

Son of Daw, a medieval pet form of David — effectively “son of David”. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Dawson?

Dawson is pronounced DAW-sun (IPA: /ˈdɔːsən/).

Is Dawson a popular name right now?

Dawson is near its all-time peak (#136 in 1999), ranked #139 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1885–2024.)

Make Dawson Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Dawson, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.