David
Meaning
Beloved
About
A biblical name of a great king. Associated with courage and leadership.
Variants
📜 History & Origin
Derived from the Hebrew name Dawid, which likely comes from the root dwd, meaning 'beloved.' It gained immense popularity due to the biblical King David and spread throughout the Christian and Jewish worlds during the Middle Ages.
✨ Personality Traits
🌟 Famous People
- •David Bowie - English singer-songwriter and actor
- •David Attenborough - English broadcaster and natural historian
- •David Beckham - English former professional footballer
- •David Hume - Scottish Enlightenment philosopher
🎂 Name Day
December 29
🎯 Fun Facts
David is one of the most popular names in history and has remained in the top 50 girl/boy names in the United States for over a century. It is also the patron saint name of Wales.
🌍 Etymology & Cultural Context
The name David belongs to the Hebrew naming tradition, which took shape in Ancient Middle East. Hebrew names represent one of humanity's oldest continuous naming traditions, spanning more than three thousand years. Rooted in the ancient lands of Canaan, these names carry the weight of biblical narrative, prophetic tradition, and deep theological meaning. The Hebrew language belongs to the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic family, closely related to Arabic and Aramaic. Hebrew names often encode entire prayers or sentences — many end in 'el' (meaning God) or 'yah'/'iah' (a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh), capturing a moment of faith or gratitude in a single word. The precise meaning of David — "Beloved" — reflects this tradition's characteristic way of encoding aspiration, faith, or observable truth into a name that a person carries for life.
In ancient Hebrew society, naming was a sacred act. A name was thought to shape the destiny of the person bearing it. This belief is visible throughout the Bible, where name changes signal spiritual transformation — Abram becomes Abraham, Jacob becomes Israel. Many Hebrew names describe divine attributes, natural phenomena, or parental hopes expressed as prayers. Through the spread of both the Old and New Testaments, Hebrew names crossed cultural boundaries to become staples in European, African, and American naming traditions. Today they remain among the most popular names worldwide, prized for their spiritual depth, biblical resonance, and timeless simplicity. As a masculine name, David was historically chosen to project the qualities most admired in men of its time and culture — strength, honor, and the embodiment of its meaning.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name David mean?
David means "Beloved." A biblical name of a great king. Associated with courage and leadership. The name originates from the Hebrew tradition, where its meaning would have carried particular resonance in the cultural and linguistic context of its time. Today, the name carries both its original meaning and centuries of accumulated associations from history, literature, and the lives of notable people who have borne it.
What is the origin of the name David?
David is a name of Hebrew origin. The name David belongs to the Hebrew naming tradition, which took shape in Ancient Middle East. Hebrew names represent one of humanity's oldest continuous naming traditions, spanning more than three thousand years. Over centuries, the name spread beyond its original cultural context, adapting to new languages and cultures while retaining its core meaning.
Is David a popular name?
David has a popularity score of 87/100 in our database, placing it among the most popular names worldwide. Names like David have appeared consistently in baby name charts across English-speaking countries for decades.
How do you pronounce David?
David is typically pronounced with two syllables. The name is spelled exactly as it sounds in most English-speaking contexts, though variant spellings like Dave may have slightly different pronunciations. Its 2-syllable rhythm gives it a balanced, melodious quality.
What are good nicknames for David?
Common nicknames and variants for David include Dave. The most frequently used short form is Dave, which is often used affectionately by family and close friends. These variations demonstrate how the name has adapted to different linguistic contexts and personal preferences over time.