David

Hebrew

"beloved"

David Origin and Meaning

The name David is both a boy's name and a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".

David is derived from the Hebrew name Dawid, which evolved from the element dod, meaning "beloved." It is the name of the Old Testament second king of Israel who, as a boy, slew the giant Philistine Goliath with his slingshot. He grew up to become a wise and highly cultivated leader who enjoyed music and was a poet, later providing inspiration to such great sculptors as Michelangelo and Donatello.

David is a classic with a lot going for it. While no longer in the Top 10, it still ranks second to Daniel among boy names starting with D. Serious yet simpatico, it has deep biblical roots and a special resonance for Jews, with the Star of David being the symbol of Judaism.

A sixth century David became the patron saint of Wales, where it has always been a popular choice. David's a royal name well used in many cultures, and is a safe and timeless choice. The fact that it's still a highly popular name proves that David is an enduring classic.

There have been countless Davids of note in history, entertainment, sport and fiction, including Copperfield, Crockett, Letterman and Beckham. Celebrities who have chosen it for their baby boys include Jennifer Hudson, Mo'Nique, and that incomparable name creator, J. K. Rowling. Dawson means "son of David."

David Popularity

• 31 US 2022
• 337 Nameberry 2023
• 177 Future 2028
• 62 England 2021
• 73 Scotland 2022
• 43 Ireland 2022
• 91 Australia 2015
• 84 New Zealand 2020
• 89 France 2018
• 27 Germany 2022
• 35 Netherlands 2022
• 18 Spain 2021
• 32 Portugal 2020
• 92 Sweden 2020
• 54 Belgium 2022
• 25 Switzerland 2022
• 7 Austria 2022
• 80 Poland 2022
• 18 Slovenia 2022
• 1 Israel 2020
• 43 Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022
• 64 Chile 2021
• 3 Croatia 2022
• 62 Azerbaijan 2022
• 56 Canada 2022
• 15 Mexico 2021