Dream first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Dream has been for the last 31 years (from 1993 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Dream

Symbolic name representing hopes, ambitions, or aspirations.

Popularity of Dream by gender

Based on the last 31 years of data, Dream is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 94% of people named Dream being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 920 female babies and 52 male babies born with the name Dream.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 52 baby boys were named Dream in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 52 920
2022 72 951
2021 60 882
2020 49 769
2019 35 584
2018 30 482
2017 31 330
2016 10 128
2015 8 98
2014 20 92
2013 12 90
2012 12 91
2011 11 72
2010 14 72
2009 6 103
2008 6 75
2007 0 55
2006 0 78
2005 0 59
2004 0 51
2003 0 49
2002 0 44
2001 0 32
2000 0 18
1999 0 12
1998 0 11
1997 0 10
1994 0 6
1993 0 8

The history of the first name Dream

The name Dream is a relatively modern invention, likely originating in the English-speaking world in the late 20th century. It does not have a clear linguistic root or cultural origin from any particular language or tradition. As a name, Dream seems to be inspired by the concept of a dream, which is a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep.

Dream is believed to have first emerged as a given name in the 1960s or 1970s, reflecting the cultural trends of that era's counterculture and hippie movements, which often embraced unconventional and metaphysical ideas. The name may have been chosen by parents seeking to imbue their child with a sense of imagination, creativity, or aspirational qualities associated with dreams.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the first name Dream was Dream Walker, a Native American activist and member of the Lakota tribe, born in 1950. She was involved in the American Indian Movement and participated in the occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973, advocating for Native American rights.

Another notable bearer of the name Dream was Dream Hampton, an American writer, filmmaker, and activist born in 1971. She is best known for her work in hip-hop journalism and her involvement in the music industry, having collaborated with artists such as Jay-Z and Suge Knight.

In the realm of literature, Dream Jordan was an American novelist and poet born in 1962. She wrote several works exploring themes of identity, race, and social justice, including her debut novel "Rip-Rap" published in 1994.

Dream Renee Weaver, born in 1994, is a Canadian social media personality and model. She gained prominence on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, where she shares lifestyle content and fashion tips with her large following.

Dream Holliday, born in 1985, is a British singer and songwriter who has released several albums and EPs in the electronic and trip-hop genres. Her music often incorporates elements of dreamy atmospheres and introspective lyrics.

While the name Dream has gained some popularity in recent decades, it remains relatively uncommon compared to more traditional names. Its usage reflects a cultural trend toward more unconventional and imaginative naming choices, often inspired by abstract concepts or aspirational qualities.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Dream was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Dream, please contact us.

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"Dream first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/dream-meaning-and-history/.

"Dream first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/dream-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Dream first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/dream-meaning-and-history/.

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