How to say it
DAY · vid
ˈdeɪ.vɪd
Masculine
David
Beloved
What it means
From the Hebrew Dawid, meaning beloved. A name that says how the bearer is held.
David in the Hebrew Bible is the shepherd boy who killed Goliath, became king of Israel, wrote psalms, and made enough mistakes to stay genuinely human across millennia of retelling. Christianity carried the name throughout Europe. It's the patron saint name of Wales (Saint David), the most-given boys' name in Israel for decades, and a top-ten name in most Spanish-speaking countries, where it's pronounced dah-VEED. English Dave and Davey are the everyday short forms.
How to spell David
The standard spelling is David. Common variants include Dawid, Davide, Dave, Davey, but David is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #1 in 1960, currently #35 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Dave is universal; Davey and Davie show up in early childhood and family contexts.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- King David (Bible) Israelite king, slayer of Goliath, author of the Psalms
- David Bowie English singer, Ziggy Stardust and Heroes
- David Beckham English footballer turned global brand
- David Attenborough Naturalist and broadcaster
Spelling variants
- Dawid
- Davide
- Dave
- Davey
Names with the same feeling
See David from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name David mean?
- From the Hebrew Dawid, meaning beloved. A name that says how the bearer is held.
- What does David mean in Hebrew?
- In Hebrew, David means "Beloved." David in the Hebrew Bible is the shepherd boy who killed Goliath, became king of Israel, wrote psalms, and made enough mistakes to stay genuinely human across millennia of retelling. Christianity carried the name throughout Europe. It's the patron saint name of Wales (Saint David), the most-given boys' name in Israel for decades, and a top-ten name in most Spanish-speaking countries, where it's pronounced dah-VEED. English Dave and Davey are the everyday short forms.
- How do you pronounce David?
- David is pronounced ˈdeɪ.vɪd. Say it as DAY-vid, with the stress on the "day" syllable.
- How do you spell David?
- The standard spelling is David. Common spelling variants include Dawid, Davide, Dave, Davey.
- Is David a boy or girl name?
- David is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name David?
- David ranked #35 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.