David

Boy Name
Origin:hebrew
Pronunciation:/ˈdeɪ.vɪd/

David: a male name of Hebrew origin meaning "This name derives from the Hebrew “Yàdad > Dâvid / Dâvı̂yd > Dāwīḏ,” meaning “beloved, loved by God". It derives from the Hebrew word "yàdad > dâvid / dâvı̂yd > DĀWĪḎ".

In Hebrew tradition, David holds special significance as a masculine name representing This name derives from the Hebrew “Yàdad > Dâvid / Dâvı̂yd > Dāwīḏ,” meaning “beloved, loved by God. This name has been cherished across generations, carrying with it the wisdom and heritage of Hebrew culture. Its enduring popularity speaks to its universal resonance.

Quick Facts About David

Quick facts about David
OriginHebrew
GenderBoy name
PopularityModerately popular

Researched by Name Doctor Linguistics Team

Our names are verified by professional linguists with expertise in etymology and cultural naming traditions.

Last reviewed: November 2025

Meaning

This name derives from the Hebrew “Yàdad > Dâvid / Dâvı̂yd > Dāwīḏ,” meaning “beloved, loved by God.” David (~1040–970 BC), son of Jesse, was the second king of Israel during the first half of the 10th century BC. His occurrences, dating back to the Jewish era, are told in the first and second book of Samuel, in the first book of Kings, and the first book of Chronicles. David’s life is of particular importance in the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, David was a member of Judah’s tribe, the king of Israel, and the Messiah’s descendant. Saint David (Welsh: Dewi Sant; ~500–589) was a Christian monk and Welsh bishop, venerated as a saint by both the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church. He is the patron saint of Wales.

Etymology & Details

Name Root

yàdad > dâvid / dâvı̂yd > DĀWĪḎ

Other Scripts

Hebrew (דָּוִד) Macedonian / Russian / Serbian (Давид)

How to Pronounce David

David is pronounced /ˈdeɪ.vɪd/(Hebrew)

Step-by-step pronunciation guide:

  1. Break it into syllables: Dav-id
  2. Say it like: "DAV-ID"
  3. Practice saying it naturally a few times

Pronunciation verified by linguistic sources

Usage & Popularity

David enjoys international appeal, used in 23 different linguistic and cultural contexts including english, romanian, russian, and many others. This widespread adoption reflects its universal resonance.

englishromanianrussianspanishcatalanfrenchnorwegianold norsecroatianserbianportugueseswedishdanishfaroesegreenlandicczechdutchlatinold danishslovenegermanwelshhebrew
Frequently Asked Questions About David
What does the name David mean?
David means "This name derives from the Hebrew “Yàdad > Dâvid / Dâvı̂yd > Dāwīḏ,” meaning “beloved, loved by God.” David (~1040–970 BC), son of Jesse, was the second king of Israel during the first half of the 10th century BC. His occurrences, dating back to the Jewish era, are told in the first and second book of Samuel, in the first book of Kings, and the first book of Chronicles. David’s life is of particular importance in the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, David was a member of Judah’s tribe, the king of Israel, and the Messiah’s descendant. Saint David (Welsh: Dewi Sant; ~500–589) was a Christian monk and Welsh bishop, venerated as a saint by both the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church. He is the patron saint of Wales.". The name comes from yàdad > dâvid / dâvı̂yd > DĀWĪḎ. In its original form, the name derives from Dâvid (דָּוִיד). This hebrew name has been passed down through generations, carrying its meaning across different cultures and time periods. Parents who choose David for boys often connect with the name's meaning of "This name derives from the Hebrew “Yàdad > Dâvid / Dâvı̂yd > Dāwīḏ,” meaning “beloved, loved by God.” David (~1040–970 BC), son of Jesse, was the second king of Israel during the first half of the 10th century BC. His occurrences, dating back to the Jewish era, are told in the first and second book of Samuel, in the first book of Kings, and the first book of Chronicles. David’s life is of particular importance in the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, David was a member of Judah’s tribe, the king of Israel, and the Messiah’s descendant. Saint David (Welsh: Dewi Sant; ~500–589) was a Christian monk and Welsh bishop, venerated as a saint by both the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church. He is the patron saint of Wales." as a quality they hope to see in their child. While not the most common choice, David's meaningful roots have given it staying power among parents looking for a name with substance. The name is associated with qualities like BIBLICAL / RELIGION (SAINTS), reflecting its meaning in how people perceive those who carry it.
What is the origin of the name David?
David is a hebrew name. The name traces back to yàdad > dâvid / dâvı̂yd > DĀWĪḎ. The original form Dâvid (דָּוִיד) shows the name's roots in its native language. In its native script, David is written as Hebrew (דָּוִד) Macedonian / Russian / Serbian (Давид). From its hebrew roots, David spread to become common in english, romanian, russian, spanish and other cultures. The hebrew meaning "This name derives from the Hebrew “Yàdad > Dâvid / Dâvı̂yd > Dāwīḏ,” meaning “beloved, loved by God.” David (~1040–970 BC), son of Jesse, was the second king of Israel during the first half of the 10th century BC. His occurrences, dating back to the Jewish era, are told in the first and second book of Samuel, in the first book of Kings, and the first book of Chronicles. David’s life is of particular importance in the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, David was a member of Judah’s tribe, the king of Israel, and the Messiah’s descendant. Saint David (Welsh: Dewi Sant; ~500–589) was a Christian monk and Welsh bishop, venerated as a saint by both the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church. He is the patron saint of Wales." reflects values important in the culture where this name first appeared.
Is David a boy or girl name?
David is a boy's name. The name has been used for boys across many generations, maintaining its masculine character through different eras and cultures. In hebrew tradition, David has historically been given to boys. The meaning "This name derives from the Hebrew “Yàdad > Dâvid / Dâvı̂yd > Dāwīḏ,” meaning “beloved, loved by God.” David (~1040–970 BC), son of Jesse, was the second king of Israel during the first half of the 10th century BC. His occurrences, dating back to the Jewish era, are told in the first and second book of Samuel, in the first book of Kings, and the first book of Chronicles. David’s life is of particular importance in the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, David was a member of Judah’s tribe, the king of Israel, and the Messiah’s descendant. Saint David (Welsh: Dewi Sant; ~500–589) was a Christian monk and Welsh bishop, venerated as a saint by both the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church. He is the patron saint of Wales." carries well for a son, giving the name lasting appeal.
How do you pronounce David?
David is pronounced "/ˈdeɪ.vɪd/". This pronunciation follows he language patterns. In its original script, the name appears as Hebrew (דָּוִד) Macedonian / Russian / Serbian (Давид), which helps explain how native speakers pronounce it. As a single-syllable name, David is quick to say and easy to call out. Pronunciation may vary slightly in english, romanian, russian, where the name is also used. Local accents and language rules can shift certain sounds while keeping the name recognizable. If you're unfamiliar with hebrew names, listening to a native speaker say David can help you catch the right rhythm and emphasis. This pronunciation has been verified and represents the standard way to say the name. The name's root yàdad > dâvid / dâvı̂yd > DĀWĪḎ influences how David sounds in its original language.
How popular is the name David?
David is moderately popular with steady usage. With moderate popularity, David offers familiarity without being everywhere. It's the kind of name people recognize but don't hear every day. David's popularity may vary between hebrew communities and the broader population, where naming trends differ. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Hebrew “Yàdad > Dâvid / Dâvı̂yd > Dāwīḏ,” meaning “beloved, loved by God.” David (~1040–970 BC), son of Jesse, was the second king of Israel during the first half of the 10th century BC. His occurrences, dating back to the Jewish era, are told in the first and second book of Samuel, in the first book of Kings, and the first book of Chronicles. David’s life is of particular importance in the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, David was a member of Judah’s tribe, the king of Israel, and the Messiah’s descendant. Saint David (Welsh: Dewi Sant; ~500–589) was a Christian monk and Welsh bishop, venerated as a saint by both the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church. He is the patron saint of Wales." likely influences its appeal, as parents often choose names that express values or hopes for their children. Among boys' names, David holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
Where is the name David commonly used?
David spans multiple cultures, including english, romanian, russian, and 20 other traditions. The name originated in hebrew culture and spread as people migrated and cultures exchanged ideas. Names that work across multiple cultures, like David, often have straightforward pronunciation and positive meanings that translate well. The meaning "This name derives from the Hebrew “Yàdad > Dâvid / Dâvı̂yd > Dāwīḏ,” meaning “beloved, loved by God.” David (~1040–970 BC), son of Jesse, was the second king of Israel during the first half of the 10th century BC. His occurrences, dating back to the Jewish era, are told in the first and second book of Samuel, in the first book of Kings, and the first book of Chronicles. David’s life is of particular importance in the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, David was a member of Judah’s tribe, the king of Israel, and the Messiah’s descendant. Saint David (Welsh: Dewi Sant; ~500–589) was a Christian monk and Welsh bishop, venerated as a saint by both the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church. He is the patron saint of Wales." carries universal appeal, helping explain why different cultures adopted David into their naming traditions. A child named David will likely find their name recognized in multiple countries, which can be an advantage for families with international connections or who value global accessibility. Across these cultures, David is given to boys, maintaining consistent gender association.
What is the cultural significance of David?
David carries associations with BIBLICAL / RELIGION (SAINTS). These qualities shape how people perceive the name and those who carry it, creating expectations and first impressions. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Hebrew “Yàdad > Dâvid / Dâvı̂yd > Dāwīḏ,” meaning “beloved, loved by God.” David (~1040–970 BC), son of Jesse, was the second king of Israel during the first half of the 10th century BC. His occurrences, dating back to the Jewish era, are told in the first and second book of Samuel, in the first book of Kings, and the first book of Chronicles. David’s life is of particular importance in the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, David was a member of Judah’s tribe, the king of Israel, and the Messiah’s descendant. Saint David (Welsh: Dewi Sant; ~500–589) was a Christian monk and Welsh bishop, venerated as a saint by both the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church. He is the patron saint of Wales." reinforces these associations, connecting the literal translation to the character traits people expect. In hebrew culture, where David originates, these qualities held particular value, making the name a way to express hopes for a child's character. Research shows that names do influence perceptions. People form impressions based on names before meeting someone, which means choosing David sets certain expectations. Parents choosing David often connect with one or more of these associations, selecting the name because it represents qualities they value or wish for their child. In english communities, these associations may carry extra weight, as naming traditions often reinforce cultural values.

Sources: Etymology verified through linguistic research including Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Behind the Name, and academic etymology databases.

Similar Names

Explore More Names