Ladawn
A girl's name of African origin with 1,568 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Ladawn hit its peak of 80 births in 1971, American naming was shifting away from mid-century classics toward more individualistic, expressive choices.
Today, Ladawn reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Ladawn is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Ladawn is a girl's baby name of African American origin, combining the creative prefix La- with Dawn, from the Old English word for the first light of morning. It reflects the inventive naming tradition in African American communities during the 1970s and 1980s.
Ladawn conjures both the energy of a sunrise and a sense of fresh beginnings — a name that feels poetic and optimistic, celebrating the beauty of a new day.
EtymologyShow more
Ladawn is built from 6 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the African naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Ladawn creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ladawn has 59+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1936.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 11 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 105 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 295 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 573 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 379 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 142 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 46 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 12 | — |
The Story of Ladawn
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1971, Ladawn is a Gen X staple. Girls named Ladawn are most likely born between 1961 and 1981.
How rare is Ladawn?
With 1,568 total births on record, Ladawn remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1936, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1970s with 573 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Ladawn by the numbers
- Would fill 33 school buses
- Meeting one Ladawn per day would take 4.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(59 years, 1936–2014)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 5 | #18007 |
| 2007 | 5 | #19195 |
| 2000 | 6 | #14146 |
| 1998 | 7 | #11821 |
| 1997 | 5 | #15014 |
| 1996 | 8 | #10088 |
| 1995 | 11 | #7818 |
| 1994 | 14 | #6507 |
| 1993 | 14 | #6450 |
| 1992 | 11 | #7794 |
| 1991 | 15 | #6112 |
| 1990 | 20 | #4778 |
| 1989 | 18 | #4956 |
| 1988 | 19 | #4575 |
| 1987 | 31 | #3062 |
| 1986 | 28 | #3234 |
| 1985 | 19 | #4212 |
| 1984 | 38 | #2496 |
| 1983 | 31 | #2819 |
| 1982 | 27 | #3219 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ladawn a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ladawn most popular?
How popular is the name Ladawn?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1936–2014