Dave
Dave is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Beloved.
Origin and history
Dave is a classic masculine name that originated as a short form of David, derived from the Hebrew element meaning beloved. It grew in popularity throughout the 20th century as both an independent given name and an informal diminutive. In the United States, it remains a highly recognizable and approachable mainstay.
Popularity in the United States
64,378 babies in the United States have been named Dave since 1880. It ranks #431 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1536.
States where it is most popular
- CA (13.4 %)
- OH (8.5 %)
- MI (7.7 %)
- IL (6.6 %)
- NY (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,339 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,281 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,133 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,716 |
| 1920-1930 | 3,432 |
| 1930-1940 | 4,818 |
| 1940-1950 | 11,740 |
| 1950-1960 | 14,837 |
| 1960-1970 | 15,774 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,589 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,517 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,106 |
| 2000-2010 | 987 |
| 2010-2019 | 717 |
| 2020-2029 | 392 |
Famous people named Dave
- Dave Grohl: Musician, Singer
- Dave Chappelle: Comedian, Actor
- Dave Brubeck: Pianist, Composer
Nicknames
Davey, Davy
Fun facts
- While historically used as a nickname for David, Dave has been registered independently on U.S. birth certificates since tracking began in 1880.
- Traces back to the ancient Hebrew name Dawid, which is thought to derive from a root meaning beloved or uncle.