Dava Girl

Popularity: #943 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DAH-vah //ˈdɑː.və//

Origin: Hebrew; Irish

Meaning: Hebrew: beloved; Irish: poetic

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Dava has roots that can be traced back to various linguistic traditions, with its earliest forms appearing in ancient languages. One potential origin is from the Persian word "dāva," which translates to "a divine gift" or "a gift from God." This etymology reflects a broader cultural significance associated with the concept of gifts or blessings in many ancient societies.

The name may also have connections to the Hebrew name "Dava," which is a variant of "David," meaning "beloved." The transition of the name into English likely occurred through the influence of various cultures and languages over centuries, particularly during the periods of trade and cultural exchange in the Middle Ages. Historically, the name Dava has not been widely documented in significant texts or historical figures, which makes it somewhat less prominent in the annals of history compared to more established names.

However, its association with the concept of divine gifts resonates with various cultural narratives, particularly in religious contexts. The name's connection to the Hebrew tradition through its link to David, a prominent biblical figure and king of Israel, adds a layer of historical depth, as David is celebrated for his leadership and is a central figure in Judeo-Christian traditions.

Culturally, names that signify gifts or blessings often carry a positive connotation and are embraced in various traditions. The name Dava, with its associations of divinity and favor, aligns with this broader cultural resonance.

In some contexts, diminutive forms or variations may exist, but Dava itself stands as a distinct name with a rich etymological background. Overall, the name encapsulates themes of love, divinity, and cultural significance, contributing to its enduring nature across different societies.

Famous people named Dava

In this section, you will find notable people named Dava. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Dava who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Dava who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Dava Sobel is an author best known for Longitude, Galileo's Daughter, and The Planets.

Dava Newman is a professor and aerospace engineer best known for her work in space exploration and the BioSuit design.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Dava, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

LilaMiraNinaTaraZara

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dava. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

DaraDevaDinaDalia

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Dava was first seen in the United States in 1931.

Dava has ranked as high as #2377 nationally, which occurred in 1954, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Tennessee, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Dava has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Dava is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Dava was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Dava.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 5 5
2024 6 6
2023 5 5
2021 8 8
2020 7 7
2019 7 7
2018 7 7
2017 13 13
2016 7 7
2015 13 13
2014 6 6
2013 10 10
2012 8 8
2011 8 8
2010 8 8
2008 11 11
2007 12 12
2006 6 6
2005 7 7
2004 8 8
2003 8 8
2002 14 14
2001 5 5
2000 15 15
1999 8 8
1998 19 19
1997 21 21
1996 14 14
1995 15 15
1994 10 10
1993 13 13
1992 18 18
1991 18 18
1990 15 15
1989 22 22
1988 28 28
1987 13 13
1986 19 19
1985 18 18
1984 12 12
1983 22 22
1982 20 20
1981 18 18
1980 18 18
1979 29 29
1978 28 28
1977 38 38
1976 31 31
1975 22 22
1974 25 25
1973 28 28
1972 36 36
1971 24 24
1970 41 41
1969 38 38
1968 33 33
1967 34 34
1966 25 25
1965 28 28
1964 22 22
1963 11 11
1962 19 19
1961 28 28
1960 24 24
1959 30 30
1958 18 18
1957 19 19
1956 24 24
1955 37 37
1954 50 50
1953 34 34
1952 14 14
1951 22 22
1950 10 10
1949 11 11
1948 14 14
1947 15 15
1946 13 13
1945 8 8
1944 7 7
1943 9 9
1942 7 7
1941 7 7
1939 6 6
1938 9 9
1937 9 9
1931 5 5

Top States for Dava (1997)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
OH 5
100%