Dave Boy

Popularity: #883 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: dayv //deɪv//

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: Hebrew: beloved; English: variant of David

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Dave is derived from the Hebrew name David (דָּוִד), which means "beloved." The etymology can be traced back to the biblical figure King David, who was a significant monarch of ancient Israel, ruling around the 10th century BCE. The name David made its way into Greek as Δαβίδ (Dabid) and then into Latin as Davidus.

From Latin, it transitioned into Old French as David, before finally being adopted into Middle English as David, which later led to the modern short form, Dave. Historically, David is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, known for his role as a shepherd, warrior, and king.

His story is recounted in several books, including 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel, where his life and reign are detailed. David's significance extends beyond the biblical narrative, as he is often associated with the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and is considered an ancestor of Jesus in Christian tradition.

The name gained further prominence in the Christian context through various saints named David, particularly Saint David of Wales, who is celebrated in the 6th century. Culturally, the name David has resonated through various traditions and has been associated with qualities such as leadership, courage, and loyalty.

The diminutive form, Dave, emerged as an informal and affectionate variant, reflecting a more personal connection to the name. Throughout history, the name has been used in literature, art, and music, often symbolizing a beloved or heroic figure.

Its enduring presence in various cultures highlights its significance and the positive attributes associated with its biblical namesake.

Famous people named Dave

In this section, you will find notable people named Dave. 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 Dave who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Dave 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.

Dave Chappelle is a comedian and actor best known for Chappelle's Show, The Chappelle Show, and A Star Is Born.

Dave Grohl is a musician best known for being the frontman of Foo Fighters, and a former drummer for Nirvana.

Dave Bautista is an actor and former professional wrestler best known for Guardians of the Galaxy, Spectre, and Dune.

Dave Ramsey is a financial author and radio host best known for The Dave Ramsey Show, Financial Peace University, and Total Money Makeover.

Dave Franco is an actor best known for Now You See Me, Neighbors, and The Disaster Artist.

Dave Mustaine is a musician best known for being the founder of Megadeth and a former guitarist for Metallica.

Dave Barry is a humor columnist and author best known for his books and the Miami Herald column.

Dave Winfield is a former professional baseball player best known for his time with the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees.

Fictional characters named Dave

The following list of fictional characters named Dave is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Dave Lister is a fictional character from the TV series Red Dwarf. He is the last human alive, navigating space with a group of misfits and seeking to return to Earth.

Sibling suggestions

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

DanielDylanDerekDustinDamonDavis

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dave. 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.

DaleDaneDaxDrewDeanDamonDavisDorian

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Dave was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Dave has ranked as high as #252 nationally, which occurred in 1959, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and New York.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Dave 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 Dave 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 Dave.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 55 55 0
2024 76 76 0
2023 65 65 0
2022 60 60 0
2021 64 64 0
2020 72 72 0
2019 67 67 0
2018 76 76 0
2017 81 81 0
2016 55 55 0
2015 64 64 0
2014 77 77 0
2013 78 78 0
2012 78 78 0
2011 70 70 0
2010 71 71 0
2009 84 84 0
2008 94 94 0
2007 101 101 0
2006 90 90 0
2005 100 100 0
2004 100 100 0
2003 115 115 0
2002 109 109 0
2001 98 98 0
2000 96 96 0
1999 103 103 0
1998 91 91 0
1997 91 91 0
1996 90 90 0
1995 113 113 0
1994 115 115 0
1993 123 123 0
1992 123 123 0
1991 133 133 0
1990 124 124 0
1989 128 128 0
1988 162 162 0
1987 134 134 0
1986 142 142 0
1985 149 149 0
1984 152 152 0
1983 148 148 0
1982 172 172 0
1981 170 170 0
1980 160 160 0
1979 155 155 0
1978 165 165 0
1977 189 189 0
1976 181 181 0
1975 186 186 0
1974 227 227 0
1973 240 240 0
1972 313 313 0
1971 414 414 0
1970 519 519 0
1969 567 562 5
1968 666 666 0
1967 779 774 5
1966 868 868 0
1965 1,159 1,159 0
1964 1,540 1,535 5
1963 2,001 1,996 5
1962 2,362 2,362 0
1961 2,810 2,802 8
1960 3,056 3,050 6
1959 3,308 3,308 0
1958 2,964 2,957 7
1957 2,186 2,179 7
1956 1,355 1,355 0
1955 1,050 1,050 0
1954 834 834 0
1953 768 768 0
1952 769 769 0
1951 743 743 0
1950 874 874 0
1949 1,163 1,163 0
1948 1,508 1,508 0
1947 1,698 1,693 5
1946 1,398 1,398 0
1945 1,077 1,077 0
1944 1,133 1,125 8
1943 1,089 1,089 0
1942 1,054 1,054 0
1941 871 864 7
1940 776 769 7
1939 663 663 0
1938 626 626 0
1937 593 593 0
1936 525 525 0
1935 469 469 0
1934 458 458 0
1933 375 375 0
1932 387 387 0
1931 390 383 7
1930 339 339 0
1929 332 332 0
1928 324 324 0
1927 385 378 7
1926 353 353 0
1925 362 362 0
1924 343 343 0
1923 322 322 0
1922 325 325 0
1921 320 320 0
1920 379 373 6
1919 361 361 0
1918 367 358 9
1917 327 322 5
1916 329 329 0
1915 295 295 0
1914 267 267 0
1913 249 249 0
1912 222 222 0
1911 135 135 0
1910 178 178 0
1909 102 102 0
1908 116 116 0
1907 107 107 0
1906 98 98 0
1905 137 137 0
1904 102 102 0
1903 88 88 0
1902 112 112 0
1901 105 105 0
1900 166 166 0
1899 120 120 0
1898 127 127 0
1897 121 121 0
1896 118 118 0
1895 139 139 0
1894 129 129 0
1893 113 113 0
1892 138 138 0
1891 124 124 0
1890 152 152 0
1889 116 116 0
1888 146 146 0
1887 111 111 0
1886 139 139 0
1885 128 128 0
1884 159 159 0
1883 135 135 0
1882 144 139 5
1881 135 135 0
1880 131 131 0

Top States for Dave (2024)

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
CA 14
33%
FL 9
21%
MA 7
17%
NJ 7
17%
TX 5
12%