Boy name · Hebrew
David
“beloved”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for David.
Explore David further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with David — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
David is Hebrew dawid, beloved, and it may originally have been a title rather than a personal name — a Mari tablet uses a similar word for a military commander, though the connection is disputed. The beloved reading is the one carried by three religions.
It is the patron saint of Wales, where Dai remains the standard short form, and one of the very few names sacred in Judaism, Christianity and Islam alike. It was a US top-10 name for four straight decades and now sits at number 35.
Dai is the Welsh clip almost nobody outside Wales uses. Two syllables want two or three (David Emmanuel, David Atticus). On our vibe map it is Heirloom at near-full strength.
More Hebrew names
David sits in our Hebrew set — these share its roots.
All Hebrew names →David — common questions
Is David a boy or girl name?
David is traditionally a boy name of Hebrew origin.
What does the name David mean?
David means “beloved” of Hebrew origin. David is Hebrew dawid, beloved, and it may originally have been a title rather than a personal name — a Mari tablet uses a similar word for a military commander, though the connection is disputed. The beloved reading is the one carried by three religions.
Where does the name David come from?
David is Hebrew in origin. It is the patron saint of Wales, where Dai remains the standard short form, and one of the very few names sacred in Judaism, Christianity and Islam alike. It was a US top-10 name for four straight decades and now sits at number 35.
What are common nicknames for David?
Dave, Davy, and Dai — the short-forms parents most often use for David.
How popular is David?
David did not make the top 1,000 boys' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named David you might want for the nursery.