David Boy

Popularity: #35 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DAY-vid //ˈdeɪ.vɪd//

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: Hebrew: beloved; English: friend

Historical & Cultural Background

The name David has its roots in the Hebrew language, originating from the word "dāwīḏ," which means "beloved." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where David is a significant figure, renowned as the second king of Israel and a central character in various biblical narratives. The name was transliterated into Greek as "Dávid" and later into Latin as "Davidus," which facilitated its entry into Old French as "David," before being adopted into Middle English during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

Historically, David is best known for his role in the biblical accounts of the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Samuel, where he is depicted as a shepherd, musician, and warrior who defeated Goliath. His reign is traditionally dated to around the 10th century BCE, and he is credited with uniting the tribes of Israel and establishing Jerusalem as the capital.

The name gained further prominence through its association with various saints, including Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, who lived in the 6th century and is celebrated for his piety and founding monastic communities. Culturally, the name David has resonated through centuries, symbolizing leadership, bravery, and divine favor.

It has been a popular name in various cultures and languages, often associated with notable historical figures, including kings and scholars. The name's enduring legacy is reflected in its frequent appearance in literature, art, and religious texts, including the King James Bible, which helped to popularize biblical names in English-speaking regions.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Dave" have emerged, though the name David itself remains a significant and respected choice across many cultures.

Famous people named David

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

We also feature individuals named David 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.

David Bowie is a musician and actor best known for Space Oddity, Heroes, and The Thin White Duke.

David Beckham is a retired footballer best known for his time with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and the England national team.

David Attenborough is a broadcaster and natural historian best known for The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, and Life on Earth.

David Letterman is a television host and comedian best known for The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with David Letterman.

David Copperfield is a magician and illusionist best known for his televised magic specials and his live performances.

David Schwimmer is an actor best known for his role as Ross Geller on Friends and for American Crime Story.

David Fincher is a film director and producer best known for Fight Club, The Social Network, and Seven.

David Mamet is a playwright and screenwriter best known for Glengarry Glen Ross, American Buffalo, and Oleanna.

David Gilmour is a musician best known as the guitarist and co-lead vocalist of Pink Floyd.

David Foster is a music producer and songwriter best known for producing albums for Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and Andrea Bocelli.

David S. Pumpkins is a fictional character from Saturday Night Live best known for his Halloween-themed sketches.

David Chappelle is a comedian and actor best known for Chappelle's Show and his stand-up specials.

David Blaine is a magician and endurance artist best known for his street magic and endurance feats.

David Mamet is a playwright and filmmaker best known for his works in theater and film, including Glengarry Glen Ross and The Spanish Prisoner.

David O. Russell is a film director and writer best known for Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, and The Fighter.

David Krumholtz is an actor best known for his roles in Numb3rs, The Santa Clause, and 10 Things I Hate About You.

Fictional characters named David

The following list of fictional characters named David 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.

David is a fictional character from the film A.I. Artificial Intelligence. He is a highly advanced robotic boy who seeks to become 'real' in order to gain the love of his human mother.

David is a fictional character from the TV series Doctor Who. He is a companion to the Doctor, known for his intelligence and bravery in facing various challenges throughout time and space.

David is a fictional character from the novel The Secret Garden. He is a kind-hearted boy who helps Mary Lennox discover the healing power of nature and friendship.

Sibling suggestions

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

DanielDylanDerekDominicDaphneDahlia

Similar names

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

DamonDariusDorianDustinDanteDavisDawsonDarren

U.S. Historical Usage

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

David has ranked as high as #2 nationally, which occurred in 1955, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name David 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 David 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 David.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 6,801 6,794 7
2024 7,376 7,369 7
2023 7,428 7,420 8
2022 7,835 7,829 6
2021 7,951 7,940 11
2020 8,273 8,263 10
2019 9,001 8,989 12
2018 9,826 9,812 14
2017 10,253 10,244 9
2016 11,168 11,153 15
2015 11,857 11,838 19
2014 12,272 12,259 13
2013 12,415 12,400 15
2012 12,583 12,565 18
2011 13,278 13,258 20
2010 14,247 14,222 25
2009 15,473 15,457 16
2008 16,369 16,347 22
2007 17,597 17,573 24
2006 17,701 17,671 30
2005 18,169 18,144 25
2004 18,478 18,412 66
2003 18,672 18,641 31
2002 18,742 18,704 38
2001 19,403 19,362 41
2000 19,831 19,787 44
1999 20,395 20,352 43
1998 20,934 20,892 42
1997 21,933 21,896 37
1996 23,084 23,022 62
1995 23,114 23,045 69
1994 24,953 24,877 76
1993 27,127 27,038 89
1992 28,542 28,425 117
1991 30,510 30,416 94
1990 33,868 33,748 120
1989 35,373 35,225 148
1988 35,579 35,329 250
1987 37,047 36,795 252
1986 37,424 37,150 274
1985 38,812 38,522 290
1984 38,727 38,492 235
1983 39,522 39,201 321
1982 40,703 40,453 250
1981 40,853 40,629 224
1980 42,182 41,891 291
1979 42,338 42,053 285
1978 40,929 40,684 245
1977 40,767 40,515 252
1976 39,494 39,265 229
1975 39,393 39,156 237
1974 42,020 41,786 234
1973 41,308 41,082 226
1972 46,559 46,322 237
1971 53,372 53,113 259
1970 62,018 61,728 290
1969 63,968 63,672 296
1968 63,944 63,679 265
1967 67,088 66,806 282
1966 66,640 66,408 232
1965 68,043 67,825 218
1964 75,292 75,043 249
1963 78,680 78,444 236
1962 81,627 81,337 290
1961 85,044 84,810 234
1960 86,151 85,929 222
1959 84,212 83,977 235
1958 82,885 82,681 204
1957 82,568 82,403 165
1956 81,809 81,652 157
1955 86,454 86,306 148
1954 79,709 79,556 153
1953 76,268 76,119 149
1952 71,885 71,752 133
1951 64,890 64,788 102
1950 60,863 60,729 134
1949 59,727 59,611 116
1948 56,748 56,627 121
1947 57,921 57,810 111
1946 46,549 46,444 105
1945 37,197 37,110 87
1944 37,482 37,382 100
1943 37,350 37,240 110
1942 36,019 35,905 114
1941 30,647 30,553 94
1940 27,774 27,690 84
1939 25,453 25,360 93
1938 23,057 22,994 63
1937 21,051 20,981 70
1936 17,528 17,476 52
1935 15,723 15,663 60
1934 14,078 14,003 75
1933 12,090 12,026 64
1932 12,195 12,139 56
1931 11,840 11,784 56
1930 12,361 12,275 86
1929 11,375 11,302 73
1928 10,058 9,990 68
1927 9,486 9,426 60
1926 9,097 9,041 56
1925 8,955 8,915 40
1924 8,809 8,758 51
1923 8,273 8,230 43
1922 7,896 7,865 31
1921 7,807 7,765 42
1920 7,477 7,444 33
1919 6,748 6,716 32
1918 6,664 6,627 37
1917 6,133 6,099 34
1916 5,837 5,812 25
1915 5,425 5,394 31
1914 4,272 4,251 21
1913 3,295 3,282 13
1912 2,874 2,858 16
1911 1,565 1,556 9
1910 1,267 1,258 9
1909 1,101 1,094 7
1908 1,015 1,015 0
1907 956 945 11
1906 886 878 8
1905 845 838 7
1904 817 817 0
1903 716 716 0
1902 761 761 0
1901 672 672 0
1900 892 883 9
1899 646 646 0
1898 820 815 5
1897 730 730 0
1896 772 765 7
1895 712 707 5
1894 729 729 0
1893 730 724 6
1892 818 813 5
1891 673 673 0
1890 731 731 0
1889 757 757 0
1888 801 801 0
1887 682 673 9
1886 674 674 0
1885 717 712 5
1884 761 761 0
1883 740 734 6
1882 838 838 0
1881 750 750 0
1880 869 869 0

Top States for David (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
TX 923
13%
CA 856
12%
NY 658
9%
FL 512
7%
NJ 286
4%
NC 274
4%
PA 254
3%
GA 248
3%
IL 242
3%
OH 208
3%
WA 181
2%
TN 170
2%
VA 165
2%
AZ 155
2%
MD 155
2%
MI 153
2%
IN 139
2%
AL 126
2%
MO 109
1%
CO 106
1%
MN 103
1%
MA 102
1%
KY 91
1%
SC 90
1%
LA 90
1%
WI 86
1%
UT 67
1%
OR 65
1%
OK 63
1%
MS 62
1%
AR 58
1%
NV 54
1%
KS 51
1%
IA 49
1%
CT 42
1%
NM 40
1%
NE 37
1%
ID 35
0%
DC 28
0%
RI 26
0%
DE 21
0%
WV 19
0%
MT 18
0%
NH 18
0%
ME 16
0%
HI 16
0%
SD 12
0%
ND 11
0%
WY 11
0%
AK 9
0%
VT 7
0%