Daun
A feminine name derived from the Dutch word for "leaf" or "foliage".
Name Census estimates that about 602 living Americans carry the first name Daun. It is a predominantly female name (96.6% of registrations). The average person named Daun today is around 62 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Daun births was 1964 (40 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Daun. 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
602
~ 1 in 569,359 Americans
Peak year
1964
40 babies that year
Average age
62
years old
1964 SSA rank
#4,173
Tracked since 1930
Gender
Gender distribution for Daun
Daun leans heavily female at 96.6% of total registrations, but 27 boys have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.
Daun as a male name
- Ranked #4,173 in 1964
- 5 male births in 1964
- Peak: 1957 (7 births)
Daun as a female name
- Ranked #13,958 in 2001
- 6 female births in 2001
- Peak: 1964 (35 births)
Popularity
Daun: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Daun from the 1930s through to the 2000s, spanning 7 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1960s, with 291 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1960s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Daun 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 Daun during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Dauns live
The SSA's state-level files cover 5 states and territories. California, Wisconsin, Michigan recorded the most babies named Daun, while Ohio, New York, Michigan recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 8 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Daun
The given name Daun has its origins in the ancient Malay language, which was predominantly spoken in the Malay Archipelago region of Southeast Asia. The name can be traced back to the 7th century CE, when it was derived from the Old Malay word "daun," meaning "leaf" or "foliage."
In traditional Malay culture, the name Daun was often associated with nature, growth, and renewal. It was believed to symbolize the cycle of life, with leaves representing the constant cycle of birth, growth, and decay. The name was commonly given to children as a way of wishing them a life filled with vitality, resilience, and a deep connection with the natural world.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Daun can be found in the ancient Malay literary work "Hikayat Hang Tuah," a historical epic that dates back to the 16th century. The story features a character named Daun, who was a skilled warrior and adviser to the Sultan of Malacca during the height of the Malacca Sultanate.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Daun. One such figure was Daun Peranakkan (1840-1912), a renowned Malay poet and philosopher from the island of Java. His works explored themes of spirituality, nature, and the human condition, and he is considered a significant figure in the development of Malay literature.
Another prominent individual named Daun was Daun Wichai (1888-1975), a Thai politician and diplomat who served as the Prime Minister of Thailand from 1958 to 1963. He played a crucial role in Thailand's political landscape during the mid-20th century and was known for his efforts to promote economic development and maintain stability in the country.
In the field of arts and culture, Daun Kendriya (1912-1997) was a renowned Indonesian painter and sculptor. His works often depicted scenes from traditional Malay life and were heavily influenced by the natural landscapes and cultural traditions of the region. Kendriya's art is celebrated for its vibrant colors and intricate details, and he is considered a pioneer of modern Indonesian art.
Lastly, Daun Sundari (1927-2003) was an influential Bangladeshi writer and activist. She was a prominent figure in the Bengali literary scene and wrote extensively on social issues, women's rights, and the struggle for Bangladesh's independence. Sundari's literary works and activism played a significant role in shaping the cultural and political landscape of Bangladesh.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Daun throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural diversity and human achievement.
People
Daun + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Daun 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
Daun: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Daun?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 602 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Daun 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 569,359 US residents.
Is Daun a common name?
We classify Daun as "Very Rare". It ranks above 86.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 805 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Daun most popular?
The single biggest year for Daun was 1964, when 40 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Daun is about 62 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Daun a female name?
Yes, 96.6% of people registered as Daun 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.