David
David is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Beloved.
Origin and history
David is a classic masculine name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'beloved'. It has been one of the most consistently popular boys' names in the United States, ranking among the top names for over a century. Its enduring appeal spans across many cultures, eras, and religious traditions.
Popularity in the United States
3,676,654 babies in the United States have been named David since 1880. It ranks #6 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #29.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.4 %)
- NY (7.8 %)
- TX (6.3 %)
- PA (6.1 %)
- OH (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 7,569 |
| 1890-1900 | 7,333 |
| 1900-1910 | 8,619 |
| 1910-1920 | 43,853 |
| 1920-1930 | 88,736 |
| 1930-1940 | 164,701 |
| 1940-1950 | 426,372 |
| 1950-1960 | 769,963 |
| 1960-1970 | 733,953 |
| 1970-1980 | 445,704 |
| 1980-1990 | 383,687 |
| 1990-2000 | 253,711 |
| 2000-2010 | 180,098 |
| 2010-2019 | 116,740 |
| 2020-2029 | 45,615 |
Famous people named David
- David Bowie: Singer, Songwriter
- David Beckham: Athlete, Sports Executive
- David Letterman: Television Host, Comedian
Nicknames
Dave, Davey, Davy
Fun facts
- King David is one of the most central figures in the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament, famous for defeating Goliath.
- David ranked among the top ten most popular boys' names in the U.S. for over half a century, from the 1930s through the 1990s.
- Michelangelo's famous marble sculpture 'David' is one of the most recognized works of art in human history.