Dwight
Primarily a boy's name with 78,541 recorded births. Also given to 320 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname transferred from the given name.
Dwight is a boy's and girl's baby name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the medieval name Diot, a diminutive of Dionysia, ultimately from the Greek god Dionysus. In America it rose partly as a tribute to Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President and WWII Supreme Commander.
Dwight carries a mid-century American gravitas, associated with steady leadership and stoic reliability. Today it is an under-the-radar choice with genuine vintage character — the name equivalent of a well-worn leather briefcase.
EtymologyShow more
Dwight's linguistic roots are not definitively traced to a single tradition. For names recorded as far back as 1880, the lack of a clear origin label often means the name predates modern naming databases or belongs to a tradition not yet well-cataloged in English-language references.
What the data does show: Dwight has 78,541 recorded U.S. births as a boy's name, with its sharp, distinct ending ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Dwight was #888 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2527, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 323 | #2233 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 1,143 | #1492 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 1,723 | #1003 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 3,401 | #573 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 5,168 | #365 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 7,003 | #287 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 13,010 | #207 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 20,848 | #147 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 12,864 | #174 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 4,895 | #243 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 4,560 | #265 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 2,686 | #272 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 455 | #304 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 277 | #355 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 185 | #430 | — |
The Story of Dwight
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1953, Dwight is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Boys named Dwight are most likely born between 1943 and 1963.
How rare is Dwight?
Only about 1 in every 67,925 babies born in 2024 was named Dwight — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1950s with 20,848 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Dwight by the numbers
- Enough Dwights to fill 1.1 football stadiums
- More Dwights than the population of a small U.S. town
- Meeting one Dwight per day would take 215.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 53 | #2527 |
| 2023 | 61 | #2295 |
| 2022 | 57 | #2445 |
| 2021 | 70 | #2083 |
| 2020 | 82 | #1816 |
| 2019 | 77 | #1920 |
| 2018 | 93 | #1690 |
| 2017 | 93 | #1698 |
| 2016 | 99 | #1620 |
| 2015 | 103 | #1570 |
| 2014 | 129 | #1342 |
| 2013 | 133 | #1300 |
| 2012 | 136 | #1287 |
| 2011 | 138 | #1253 |
| 2010 | 142 | #1244 |
| 2009 | 168 | #1099 |
| 2008 | 142 | #1227 |
| 2007 | 165 | #1106 |
| 2006 | 161 | #1094 |
| 2005 | 152 | #1084 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Dwight as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Dwight has also been given to 320 girls in the U.S. since 1913.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dwight a boy's or girl's name?
When was Dwight most popular?
How popular is the name Dwight?
Can Dwight be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024