David means “beloved” and is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin. Expectant parents often explore meanings of traditional baby names when searching for an established choice with deep cultural significance.
David Name Meaning and Origin
David traces its origin to the Hebrew language, where it is written as דָּוִד, pronounced David in Modern Hebrew and Dāwîḏ in the Tiberian tradition. The name means “beloved” and comes from the root word dôwd (דּוֹד). Originally, this ancient root meant “to boil,” but it survived in Biblical Hebrew exclusively in the figurative sense “to love.” In particular, the term denoted an uncle or, figuratively, a lover or beloved. King Solomon used this expression in Song of Songs 6:3 (Shir HaShirim) in the celebrated phrase Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li (אני לדודי ודודי לי), translating to “I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me.”
The enduring prominence of the name stems from early oral tradition and written accounts regarding King David. As a central figure in the Tanakh, King David is foundational to Judaism and subsequently holds great importance within Christian and Islamic religious traditions. Within Christian history, the name was adopted into Syriac as ܕܘܝܕ (Dawid), Greek as Δαυίδ, and Latin as Davidus or David. It also entered Koine Greek as Δαυῑ̈́δ (Dauī̈́d) and Late Latin as Dāvīd. From Late Latin, it passed into Old English as Dauid and David, and later into Middle English forms including Davyd and Davyde. In Islamic tradition, the Quranic spelling is rendered as دَاوُۥד (Dāwūd or Dā’ūd).
Christian communities embraced David from an early period. Notable early figures include David of Wales in the 6th century, David Saharuni in the 7th century, and David I of Iberia in the 9th century. Several name days honor individuals bearing the name, including 8 February for David IV of Georgia, 1 March for St. David of Wales, and 29 December. While widely established as a male name, David also has rare use as a female given name, frequently combined with a feminine middle name such as David Ann.
Pronunciation of David
In English, David is pronounced DAY-vid. The first syllable, DAY, rhymes with say, ray, and play. The second syllable, vid, rhymes with hid, lid, and slid. The stress falls squarely on the first syllable, creating a crisp, two-syllable rhythm that remains straightforward to pronounce across various English dialects.
Popularity in the United States
The name David first entered the annual count in 1880, and over the decades it has been most often given to boys. Across the entire span since 1880, a cumulative total of 3,676,654 US boys have received the name. The name enjoyed immense mid-century popularity, standing at #5 in 1950 with 60,729 babies before climbing to its peak rank of #1 in 1960. It maintained strong momentum in 1980 at #4 with 41,891 babies, followed by a shift to #16 in 2000 with 19,787 babies. In more recent years, David held #15 in 2010 with 14,222 babies, moved to #28 in 2020 with 8,263 babies, and reached #35 in 2025 with 6,794 babies.
| Year | US rank (boys) | Babies named David |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | #5 | 60,729 |
| 1980 | #4 | 41,891 |
| 2000 | #16 | 19,787 |
| 2010 | #15 | 14,222 |
| 2020 | #28 | 8,263 |
| 2025 | #35 | 6,794 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data (names given to at least 5 babies in a year).
Nicknames for David
Common short forms and familiar call names for David include Dave, Davey, and Davy. Parents seeking an informal everyday version frequently choose Dave for brevity or Davey and Davy for an affectionate nursery option.
Famous People Named David
- David Bowie, English singer, songwriter, and actor.
- David Beckham, English professional soccer player.
- David Letterman, American television host and comedian.
Middle Names and Sibling Names for David
Complementary middle names and brother names include James, Joseph, Alexander, Samuel, and Michael.
Fitting sister names include Sarah, Rachel, Elizabeth, Hannah, and Emma.
FAQ
Which root word forms the foundation of the name David?
The name David derives from the Hebrew root word dôwd (דּוֹד), which originally carried the meaning “to boil” but survived in Biblical Hebrew solely through the figurative sense “to love.” In that figurative context, the word served as a designation for an uncle or a beloved companion. King Solomon notably incorporated this expression into Song of Songs 6:3 with the phrase Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li, meaning “I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me.”
How many American boys have received the name David in total?
A total of 3,676,654 US boys have received the name David since 1880. This substantial total places it among the most widely bestowed masculine names in the United States over that multi-decade span.
How does David’s peak rank compare to its position in 2025?
David reached its peak rank at #1 in 1960, whereas by 2025 it held the #35 position. In 1950, shortly before that peak era, 60,729 baby boys received the name, representing the #5 spot, compared to 6,794 boys given the name in 2025.
Comments