Dawud Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DAH-ood /dɑːˈuːd/
Origin: Arabic; Hebrew
Meaning: Arabic: beloved; Hebrew: David's variant
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Dawud is of Arabic origin, derived from the Hebrew name David (דָּוִד), which means "beloved." The transition from Hebrew to Arabic reflects the linguistic and cultural exchanges in the region, particularly in the context of the Abrahamic faiths. In Arabic, Dawud (داوود) is used to refer to the same biblical figure, King David, who is a significant character in both the Hebrew Bible and the Quran.
The name entered English through the Latin form Davidus, which was adopted into Old French as David, before becoming established in Middle English as David, and subsequently evolving into various forms in modern English, including Dawud in specific cultural contexts. Historically, David is a prominent figure in Judeo-Christian tradition, known for his role as the second king of Israel, a warrior, and a poet credited with composing many of the Psalms.
His story is recounted in the biblical books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, dating back to around the 10th century BCE. In Islamic tradition, Dawud is recognized as a prophet and king, with his narrative appearing in the Quran, which further solidifies his importance across different cultures and religions.
The name has been borne by various notable figures throughout history, including kings and saints, contributing to its enduring legacy. Culturally, the name Dawud carries connotations of leadership, valor, and divine favor, resonating deeply within Islamic and Jewish traditions.
The association with King David, who is often seen as a model of faith and righteousness, lends the name a significant spiritual weight. Additionally, the name has various diminutive forms, such as Daw, which are used in different cultural contexts, though the full form remains the most recognized.
Overall, Dawud exemplifies a rich historical and cultural lineage that transcends linguistic boundaries.
Famous people named Dawud
In this section, you will find notable people named Dawud. 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 Dawud who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Dawud 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.
Dawud Wharnsby is a singer-songwriter and poet best known for his albums A World of My Own, A New World, and his contributions to children's music.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Dawud, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dawud. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Dawud was first seen in the United States in 1970.
Dawud has ranked as high as #5973 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Dawud has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Dawud 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 Dawud 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 Dawud.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 38 | 38 |
| 2024 | 44 | 44 |
| 2023 | 46 | 46 |
| 2022 | 33 | 33 |
| 2021 | 22 | 22 |
| 2020 | 33 | 33 |
| 2019 | 24 | 24 |
| 2018 | 29 | 29 |
| 2017 | 21 | 21 |
| 2016 | 25 | 25 |
| 2015 | 30 | 30 |
| 2014 | 21 | 21 |
| 2013 | 17 | 17 |
| 2012 | 25 | 25 |
| 2011 | 22 | 22 |
| 2010 | 17 | 17 |
| 2009 | 13 | 13 |
| 2008 | 13 | 13 |
| 2007 | 14 | 14 |
| 2006 | 10 | 10 |
| 2005 | 13 | 13 |
| 2004 | 16 | 16 |
| 2003 | 11 | 11 |
| 2002 | 11 | 11 |
| 2001 | 12 | 12 |
| 2000 | 12 | 12 |
| 1999 | 14 | 14 |
| 1998 | 13 | 13 |
| 1997 | 17 | 17 |
| 1996 | 11 | 11 |
| 1995 | 14 | 14 |
| 1994 | 6 | 6 |
| 1993 | 11 | 11 |
| 1992 | 6 | 6 |
| 1991 | 12 | 12 |
| 1990 | 8 | 8 |
| 1989 | 8 | 8 |
| 1988 | 10 | 10 |
| 1987 | 12 | 12 |
| 1986 | 11 | 11 |
| 1985 | 10 | 10 |
| 1984 | 8 | 8 |
| 1983 | 13 | 13 |
| 1982 | 20 | 20 |
| 1981 | 29 | 29 |
| 1980 | 25 | 25 |
| 1979 | 28 | 28 |
| 1978 | 35 | 35 |
| 1977 | 40 | 40 |
| 1976 | 21 | 21 |
| 1975 | 19 | 19 |
| 1974 | 25 | 25 |
| 1973 | 6 | 6 |
| 1972 | 12 | 12 |
| 1971 | 8 | 8 |
| 1970 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Dawud (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 |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 6 | |
| CA | 5 | |
| IL | 5 | |
| TX | 5 |