David: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, & Inspiration

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1. Home
2. Baby Names

David

The name David is derived from the Hebrew first name David meaning "beloved", which has been popular among Jews, in honor of the Biblical king of this name.

- 5% this year Masculine Rare

Tara Rhiannon Dawn Gunn, BA, MFA

| Updated: March 10, 2025

Tara Rhiannon Dawn Gunn, BA, MFA

| Updated: March 10, 2025 Table of contents

Boy name origins & meanings

What does David mean and stand for?

Meaning:

• Hebrew: Beloved

Gender: Male

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name David is pronounced day-vid

The name David is derived from the Hebrew first name David meaning "beloved", which has been popular among Jews, in honor of the Biblical king of this name, the greatest of the early kings of Israel in 1000 B.C.

Boy name variations

Davida Davidde Davide Davina Davita Dave Davey Davy Davie Davi Davyd Davis Davidson Dawes Dawson Dewi Dewey Devlin Devi Devid Dabi Daevid Daevyd Dafydd Daived Daivid Daivyd Dauid Dav Daved Daveed Davidd Davidek Davido Davood Davoud Davydas Davydd Davyde Dayvid Deved Devidd Devidde Devyd Devydd Devydde Devod Davison Davyson Dawed Dawud Dawyt Dawit Dawid

How Popular Is The Name David

Family name origins & meanings

Hebrew: David as a last name is a form of the male given name David, from the Hebrew "Dodaveha" meaning "beloved of Jehovah."

The first French family of the name David recorded in Quebec was in Trois-Rivières around 1649; their place of origin in France is unknown. A second line, from Normandy, was in Château Richer by 1662.

Famous people with this first name

David Arquette David Beckham David Bowie David Byrne David Cassidy David Duchovny David Hassellhoff David Letterman

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Guy Ritchie J.K. Rowling Jennifer Hudson Madonna Ciccone Ralph Lauren Robert Redford

David in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

• David Dunn from Unbreakable - A security guard who discovers he has superhuman abilities.
• David Wallace from The Office (US) - The Chief Financial Officer and later CEO of Dunder Mifflin Inc.
• David Rossi from Criminal Minds - A seasoned FBI profiler who comes out of retirement to help the Behavioral Analysis Unit.
• David "Dave" Seville from Alvin and the Chipmunks - The father figure and manager of the chipmunk trio.
• David 8 from Prometheus and Alien: Covenant - An advanced synthetic humanoid who explores themes of creation and existentialism.

Popularity of the Name David

According to the Social Security Administration data, David is a name that has maintained high popularity in the United States for decades. While it has fluctuated slightly, it remains a steadfast choice for many parents, consistently ranking in the top 50 names for newborn boys.

Historically, David has been a significant name, most notably borne by the biblical David, a king of Israel and a central figure in many religious texts. The name's enduring popularity can also be attributed to numerous notable Davids in various fields, such as Renaissance artist Michelangelo's famous Sculpture of David, British rock musician David Bowie, and actors like David Tennant, and David Schwimmer. Fictional characters named David have made appearances in a wide range of media, from classic literature to contemporary films and TV shows.

Where Is the Name David Popular?

This name is most popular across certain states in the U.S., including those highlighted on the map below.

Nicknames for David

These shortened names can make great nicknames for your baby.

• Dave
• Davey

David Pairs Well With These Middle Names

Looking for a middle name that fits perfectly? Consider these!

Gabriel Joshua Logan Mark Zaire

Appears On

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People Who Like the Name David Also Like

Check out these names that are similar, but still unique to your baby.

Benjamin Daniel Luke Matthew Michael

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