The nameDavid
David is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved". The name of the king who defeated Goliath, it is one of the great names of the Western world.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
David comes from the Hebrew Dawid, generally read as "beloved".
Origin
Hebrew. David is the shepherd boy who defeats the giant Goliath, then the king of Israel to whom the Psalms are attributed.
History
David is the patron saint of Wales, Saint David, and the name of two kings of Scotland. In the United States it was in the top 10 from the 1930s to the 1990s and ranked first in 1960. Dave and Davy are its short forms.
David in other languages
David is spelled the same in most European languages. It is Davide in Italian, Dawid in Polish, Dafydd and Dewi in Welsh, Dávid in Hungarian and Dawud in Arabic.
Nicknames for David
The most common nicknames for David: Dave and Davy.
Did you know?
- In the Bible, the young shepherd David brings down the giant Goliath with a sling.
- Michelangelo's statue of David stands more than five metres tall.
- David was the most popular boys' name in Ireland every year from 1987 to 1993.
Famous people named David
- King David
- Saint David, patron saint of Wales
- David Bowie, musician
- David Beckham, footballer
- David Attenborough, naturalist
Popularity of the name David
David in the United States
David was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 771,533 births over the decade, 21% of all recorded babies named David. Its rise began around 1924, and it peaked in 1955. Half of all babies named David in the United States were born before 1963, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 7,755 births a year on average, against 10,418 in the five years before.
David in the United Kingdom
David was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 16,136 births over the decade, 36% of all recorded babies named David. Half of all babies named David in the United Kingdom were born before 2008, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 941 births a year on average, against 1,424 in the five years before.
David in Ireland
David in France
David in Belgium
David in Switzerland
David in Austria
David in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for David
Names from the same generation as David, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named David? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare David with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of David side by side with the name of your choice.
David in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name David mean?
David comes from the Hebrew Dawid, generally read as "beloved".
What is the origin of the name David?
Hebrew. David is the shepherd boy who defeats the giant Goliath, then the king of Israel to whom the Psalms are attributed.
Is David a girl's or a boy's name?
David is a boy's name.
How popular is the name David?
In 2024, David was the 31st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 7,317 births.
What are the variants of the name David?
Variants and related names of David include Daouda, Dave, Davi, Davina, Davy, Dawid and Dawson.
What are good sibling names for David?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Elizabeth, Abigail, Madeline and Anna for a sister, Daniel, Joseph, John and Nathan for a brother.
What are common nicknames for David?
The most common nicknames for David are Dave and Davy.
Who are famous people named David?
King David; Saint David, patron saint of Wales; David Bowie, musician; David Beckham, footballer.