What Does the Name Dawson Mean?
Dawson is a boy's name of English (patronymic surname) origin meaning “son of Daw (a medieval pet form of David).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Dawson |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | English (patronymic surname) |
| Meaning | son of Daw (a medieval pet form of David) |
| Variants | Dawsen, Dawsyn, Dauson |
| Popularity | Rose sharply as a U.S. boys' name in the late 1990s-2000s following 'Dawson's Creek', staying within the top 200-300. |
The meaning and origin of Dawson
The name Dawson means “son of Daw (a medieval pet form of David)” and has English (patronymic surname) origins. Dawson is an English surname meaning 'son of Daw', Daw being a medieval diminutive of David. It became a popular given name largely through the TV series 'Dawson's Creek'.
Variants and related names
Dawson is related to several other names you may recognize: Dawsen, Dawsyn, Dauson. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Dawson?
Rose sharply as a U.S. boys' name in the late 1990s-2000s following 'Dawson's Creek', staying within the top 200-300.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dawson mean?+
The name Dawson means “son of Daw (a medieval pet form of David)” and is of English (patronymic surname) origin.
What is the origin of the name Dawson?+
Dawson originates from English (patronymic surname).
Is Dawson a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Dawson has trended in the US over time.
Dawson by gender
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Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press