Davy Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DAY-vee //ˈdeɪ.vi//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: beloved; English: diminutive of David
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Davy is derived from the Hebrew name David, which means "beloved." The etymological journey begins with the Hebrew דָּוִד (Dāwīḏ), which was transliterated into Greek as Δαυίδ (Dauid) and then into Latin as Davidus. The name made its way into Old French as David, and from there, it entered the English language during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.
The diminutive form Davy likely emerged as a familiar or affectionate variant of David, reflecting a common linguistic practice of creating shorter or more intimate forms of names in various cultures. Historically, David is a significant biblical figure, known as the second king of Israel and an ancestor of Jesus Christ, as noted in the genealogies of the New Testament.
His story, which includes the famous account of David and Goliath, has been a source of inspiration in religious texts and art throughout the centuries. The name David has been borne by numerous saints, including Saint David of Wales, the patron saint of Wales, who lived in the 6th century.
The name's prominence in religious contexts was further solidified by its inclusion in major translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version published in 1611. Culturally, the name Davy has resonated in various traditions, often symbolizing strength and leadership due to its association with the biblical David.
The name has been used in literature and folklore, contributing to its endurance over time. In addition to its biblical roots, the name Davy has also been linked to various historical figures and characters in literature, such as Davy Crockett, an American folk hero of the 19th century.
This multifaceted background underscores the name's rich historical and cultural significance.
Famous people named Davy
Davy Crockett is a folk hero and frontiersman best known for his role in the Texas Revolution and his legendary exploits in American folklore.
Davy Jones is a singer and actor best known for being the lead singer of The Monkees and for his role in the television series The Monkees.
Fictional characters named Davy
Davy Jones is a fictional character from the film series Pirates of the Caribbean. He is the supernatural captain of the Flying Dutchman, known for his octopus-like appearance and cursed existence.
Sibling suggestions
Similar names
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Davy was first seen in the United States in 1917.
Davy has ranked as high as #884 nationally, which occurred in 1955, and has been most popular in California, Texas, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Davy has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Davy (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1917 | 5 |
| 1922 | 5 |
| 1924 | 5 |
| 1927 | 5 |
| 1929 | 25 |
| 1930 | 30 |
| 1931 | 18 |
| 1932 | 13 |
| 1933 | 16 |
| 1934 | 13 |
| 1935 | 12 |
| 1936 | 10 |
| 1937 | 12 |
| 1938 | 9 |
| 1939 | 15 |
| 1940 | 20 |
| 1941 | 11 |
| 1942 | 17 |
| 1943 | 16 |
| 1944 | 11 |
| 1945 | 9 |
| 1946 | 16 |
| 1947 | 23 |
| 1948 | 24 |
| 1949 | 16 |
| 1950 | 26 |
| 1951 | 22 |
| 1952 | 26 |
| 1953 | 30 |
| 1954 | 32 |
| 1955 | 195 |
| 1956 | 92 |
| 1957 | 54 |
| 1958 | 61 |
| 1959 | 48 |
| 1960 | 48 |
| 1961 | 49 |
| 1962 | 48 |
| 1963 | 34 |
| 1964 | 35 |
| 1965 | 26 |
| 1966 | 22 |
| 1967 | 43 |
| 1968 | 57 |
| 1969 | 48 |
| 1970 | 46 |
| 1971 | 51 |
| 1972 | 54 |
| 1973 | 55 |
| 1974 | 46 |
| 1975 | 39 |
| 1976 | 45 |
| 1977 | 53 |
| 1978 | 41 |
| 1979 | 28 |
| 1980 | 44 |
| 1981 | 34 |
| 1982 | 30 |
| 1983 | 20 |
| 1984 | 10 |
| 1985 | 28 |
| 1986 | 27 |
| 1987 | 25 |
| 1988 | 24 |
| 1989 | 15 |
| 1990 | 19 |
| 1991 | 18 |
| 1992 | 15 |
| 1993 | 22 |
| 1994 | 17 |
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 1997 | 19 |
| 1998 | 9 |
| 1999 | 13 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 16 |
| 2007 | 21 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2024 | 45 |