Dashay
A feminine name of unknown origin, possibly a respelling of Dasia.
Name Census estimates that about 320 living Americans carry the first name Dashay. It is a predominantly female name (92.7% of registrations). The average person named Dashay today is around 27 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Dashay births was 1996 (28 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Dashay. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
320
~ 1 in 1,071,107 Americans
Peak year
1996
28 babies that year
Average age
27
years old
1996 SSA rank
#8,171
Tracked since 1988
Gender
Gender distribution for Dashay
Dashay leans heavily female at 92.7% of total registrations, but 24 boys have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.
Dashay as a male name
- Ranked #8,171 in 1996
- 6 male births in 1996
- Peak: 1992 (7 births)
Dashay as a female name
- Ranked #16,120 in 2019
- 5 female births in 2019
- Peak: 1994 (22 births)
Popularity
Dashay: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Dashay from the 1980s through to the 2010s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 189 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Dashay by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Dashay during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Dashays live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. Illinois, New York, Ohio recorded the most babies named Dashay, while Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 8 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Dashay
The name Dashay is a relatively modern coinage, believed to have originated in the United States in the late 20th century. Its origins are uncertain, but it appears to be a creative combination of elements from various linguistic roots. Some suggest it may derive from the French word "déchirer" meaning "to tear," hinting at a sense of strength or resilience. Others propose a connection to the Sanskrit word "dashaa" meaning "state" or "condition," implying a sense of circumstance or destiny.
While no definitive ancient texts or historical records mention the name Dashay directly, its unique blend of sounds and potential meanings has captured the imagination of many parents seeking a distinctive moniker for their child. The earliest known individuals with this name likely emerged in the latter part of the 20th century, as the rise of unique and unconventional names gained popularity.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dashay can be found in the literary works of American author and poet Maya Angelou, who mentioned a character named Dashay in her 1993 book "Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now." This early reference helped establish the name in the public consciousness and may have contributed to its gradual adoption.
Throughout its relatively short history, a handful of notable individuals have borne the name Dashay. Among them is Dashay Giovaughna, an American singer-songwriter and actress known for her work in the entertainment industry. Born in 1984, she has released several albums and appeared in various television shows and films.
Another individual of note is Dashay Thompson, an American basketball player who played professionally in Europe and the United States. Born in 1991, she had a successful collegiate career at the University of South Carolina before turning professional.
In the world of music, Dashay Brandon is a Canadian singer and songwriter who rose to prominence in the early 2000s with her unique blend of R&B and pop styles. Born in 1986, she has released several acclaimed albums and collaborated with numerous high-profile artists.
While not as widely known, Dashay Vickers is an American entrepreneur and business leader. Born in 1978, she has made significant contributions to the technology and startup sectors, serving as a mentor and advisor to numerous companies and organizations.
Lastly, Dashay Lewis is an American visual artist and painter who has gained recognition for her vibrant and thought-provoking works. Born in 1992, her art has been featured in numerous exhibitions and galleries, exploring themes of identity, culture, and social commentary.
People
Dashay + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Dashay as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with D
Other first names starting with D with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Dashay: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Dashay?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 320 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Dashay going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,071,107 US residents.
Is Dashay a common name?
We classify Dashay as "Very Rare". It ranks above 79.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 328 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Dashay most popular?
The single biggest year for Dashay was 1996, when 28 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Dashay is about 27 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Dashay a female name?
Yes, 92.7% of people registered as Dashay in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.