Dow Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Dow' originates from the Old English word for 'able' or 'capable'. It has evolved through various historical forms and is often associated with strength. While it does not have biblical relevance, it has a long history of usage, particularly in England and Ireland. The name is currently viewed as traditional and is linked with notable individuals.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Dow"
Pronunciation
/daʊ/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name 'Dow' is derived from the Old English word 'dūg', which means 'able' or 'capable'. It is often considered a short form of names like 'Dowling' or 'Dowd', which have historical roots in Gaelic and Anglo-Norman cultures.
Meaning
Able, capable
Language Evolution
Old English: dūg, Middle English: dowe, Modern English: Dow
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in medieval England and has continued to be used in various forms throughout the centuries, especially in Ireland and Scotland.
Variants & Derivatives
Dowd, Dowling, Dowe
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, 'Dow' is perceived as a traditional and somewhat uncommon name, often associated with strength and capability.
Famous People
Dow Jones (journalist and publisher), David Dow (American author and lawyer)
📊 Dow Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Dow Name Visualizations
✨ Dow Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 26 peak births in 1962
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in Ohio
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Dow"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Dow"
"Dow" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1866th of 7545 | 281 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2009th of 6773 | 246 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2029th of 7552 | 298 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3806th of 10718 | 118 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8705th of 16616 | 47 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 17717th of 24088 | 18 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 23106th of 23106 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Dow" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
63.27% 1409th/2227 |
- | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Dow" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Dow"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Dow" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Dow" in the United States
The name Dow is most popular in Ohio, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Dow has been stalled for male in MidWest. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest. Across generations, 'Dow' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1866th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2009th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2029th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3806th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8705th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 17717th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 23106th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Dow' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.