David is a name of Hebrew origin that means "beloved" or "uncle." It is derived from the root verb davar, which translates to "speak" or "word." In the Bible, David is the second king of Israel who was renowned for his courage and wisdom. He was also known for slaying the giant Goliath with a single stone thrown from his slingshot. Throughout history, this name has been associated with many prominent figures, including several saints, kings, and artists. Today, David remains a popular choice for boys' names around the world.
The name David has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the past century and a half. In fact, it was one of the most common names given to boys during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
From 1879 to 2023, there have been a total of 3662190 births registered with the name David in the United States. The peak popularity for this name occurred between 1950 and 1965, during which time more than one million boys were named David.
However, since then, the number of baby boys being given the name David has decreased significantly. Between 2000 and 2010, only around 175,000 boys were named David at birth. And in recent years, this trend has continued with fewer than 8000 births each year registered with the name David from 2017 to 2023.
Despite its decline in popularity, the name David remains a classic choice for parents seeking a traditional and enduring moniker for their sons. It is derived from Hebrew origins meaning "beloved" or "uncle," and its pronunciation varies by language but is most commonly /ˈdeɪvɪd/ in English.
Some famous individuals named David include artists like Michelangelo Buonarroti (also known as Michelangelo) and Vincent van Gogh, writers such as Daniel Defoe and George Eliot (whose real name was Mary Ann Evans), musicians such as David Bowie and Dave Grohl, politicians including David Cameron, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and David Petraeus, retired American military general and CIA director.