What Does the Name David Mean?
David is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning “beloved.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | David |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Meaning | beloved |
| Variants | Dave, Davy, Dafydd, Dawid, Daud |
| Popularity | One of the most popular US boys' names of the mid-20th century, ranking in the top 5 in the 1950s-1970s. |
The meaning and origin of David
The name David means “beloved” and has Hebrew origins. From the Hebrew Dawid, borne by the second king of Israel who slew Goliath and is traditionally credited with the Psalms. A patron saint of Wales and a name common across Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions.
Variants and related names
David is related to several other names you may recognize: Dave, Davy, Dafydd, Dawid, Daud. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name David?
One of the most popular US boys' names of the mid-20th century, ranking in the top 5 in the 1950s-1970s.
Popularity matters when you need believable test data: a name that fits the era or region you are modeling makes a generated profile look real. You can generate a complete fictional profile using the name David below.
Generate a fake David profile
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name David mean?+
The name David means “beloved” and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of the name David?+
David originates from Hebrew.
Is David a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how David has trended in the US over time.
David by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press