Meaning
The meaning of David
David comes from the Hebrew Dawid, usually understood as beloved. The name is short, ancient, and unusually stable across Jewish and Christian tradition.
Sound
How to pronounce David
- Phonetic
- DAY-vid
- IPA
- /ˈdeɪvɪd/
2 syllables · stress: DAY-vid · ends in a consonant
Forms
Variants and nicknames
Alternate spellings
- Dawid
- Daud
- Dawud
- Davide
Short forms and nicknames
- Dave
- Davy
- Davey
Languages
David in other languages
- Hebrew
- דָּוִדDavid
- Greek
- ΔαυίδDavid
- Latin
- David
- Spanish
- David
- French
- David
- German
- David
- Italian
- Davide
- Russian
- ДавидDavid
- Polish
- Dawid
- Arabic
- دَاوُودDawud
Christian background
Christian and biblical background
David appears throughout 1 and 2 Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, and the Psalms. In Christian reading, David matters not only as a king but also because the New Testament presents Jesus as connected to David's line.
Scripture
The biblical figure
In the Bible, David is a shepherd, musician, warrior, king, sinner, and penitent. His story is not simple hero worship. It includes courage, worship, serious failure, and repentance.
Bearers
Notable people named David
biblical
King DavidSecond king of Israel, shepherd, musician, and ancestor of the Davidic royal linehistorical
David HumeScottish Enlightenment philosopher and historian, 1711 to 1776historical
David LivingstoneScottish missionary and explorer in southern Africa, 1813 to 1873historical
David Ben-GurionFirst prime minister of Israel, 1886 to 1973modern
David BowieEnglish singer, songwriter, and actor, 1947 to 2016modern
David AttenboroughEnglish broadcaster and natural historian, born 1926modern
David BeckhamEnglish former footballer who played for Manchester United and the England national team, born 1975
Saint
Saint David of Wales
- Traditions
- Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox
- Patron of
- Wales, poets
Saint David of Wales (Dewi Sant, around 500 to 589) is the patron of Wales, and his feast day is the Welsh national day. The biblical King David is commemorated separately, especially in Orthodox tradition.
Naming history
Naming tradition and history
David has been used continuously across Jewish and Christian communities and became a classic English name. In the United States, it remains one of the most familiar biblical names.
Recent US use
David in recent US use
- Rank in 2025
- #35
- Peak rank
- #1 in 1960
- Recent trend
- declining over the last 5 years
- Years in the SSA records
- 146 (since 1880)
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.
Sibling fit
Sibling name suggestions
Pairings
Names paired with David
For families
For families looking at David
For a Christian family, David signals belovedness, worship, courage, and a central biblical story. Dave and Davy give it accessible everyday forms.
Common questions
What does David mean?
David means beloved. It comes from Hebrew.
Is David a biblical name?
Yes. David is one of the most important figures in the Old Testament.
Is David a Christian name?
Yes. David has deep Christian use because of King David's role in the Bible and the New Testament connection to Jesus' family line.
Sources
Sources for David
- A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, Brown, Driver, and BriggsSupports: Hebrew etymology (beloved); meaning.
- The First Book of Samuel, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: scripture context (1 Samuel 16:13, anointing of David); biblical figure King David.
- The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, David Hugh Farmer (5th edition)Supports: Saint David of Wales; patron of Wales; feast day (March 1).
Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.
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