Dream Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Dream' has its roots in Old English, originally meaning 'joy' or 'music.' It has evolved through various historical forms to its current definition related to the mental experiences during sleep. The concept of dreaming also extends metaphorically to aspirations in modern usage. There is no significant biblical relevance associated with the term. Notable figures associated with the concept of dreams include Martin Luther King Jr., known for his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech, and psychologists like Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, who explored the significance of dreams.
The name Dream is most popular in Nevada, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. 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, Dream has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Dream' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 12775th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3147th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 18004th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 21402nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3024th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 596th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Dream' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Dream"
Pronunciation
/driːm/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The word 'dream' originates from the Old English 'drēam,' which meant 'joy' or 'music.' Over time, its meaning evolved to refer to the experiences and thoughts occurring during sleep.
Meaning
a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep
Language Evolution
Old English: drēam, Middle English: dreme, Modern English: dream
Historical Usage
The term 'dream' has been used in English since before the 12th century. Its usage expanded in literature and folklore, gaining popularity in both religious and secular contexts.
Variants & Derivatives
dreamer, dreaming
Modern Popularity & Image
In contemporary culture, 'dream' is often associated with aspirations and goals, reflecting a positive and hopeful image.
Famous People
Martin Luther King Jr., Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung
Explore More Dream Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Dream"
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 "Dream"
"Dream" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 12775th of 24088 | 49 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3147th of 23106 | 445 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 18004th of 19264 | 6 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 21402nd of 27321 | 14 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3024th of 35406 | 833 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 596th of 30306 | 6,190 |
Regional Popularity of "Dream" by Generation for Male 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) |
69.30% 2761st/3984 |
60.71% 2724th/4487 |
41.34% 2820th/6822 |
56.56% 3550th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Dream" 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) |
59.10% 2708th/4582 |
40.80% 2107th/5164 |
45.97% 3362nd/7313 |
51.80% 3866th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
12.83% 511th/3984 |
13.73% 616th/4487 |
7.26% 495th/6822 |
16.62% 1043rd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Dream"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Dream" 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.