Dave
English · Boy · 1 syllable
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Dave
Dave is a diminutive of David, derived from the Hebrew name Dawid, meaning "beloved" or "friend." The name has Hebrew linguistic roots and likely originates from a root meaning "to love."
The name is predominantly used in English-speaking Christian cultures and Jewish communities, with widespread adoption across Western societies; it gained particular prominence in the 20th century as a casual, friendly alternative to the formal "David."
Cross-referenced with Wikidata/Wikipedia. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.
Etymology
Dave is a diminutive of David, derived from the Hebrew name Dawid, meaning "beloved" or "friend." The name has Hebrew linguistic roots and likely originates from a root meaning "to love."
The name is predominantly used in English-speaking Christian cultures and Jewish communities, with widespread adoption across Western societies; it gained particular prominence in the 20th century as a casual, friendly alternative to the formal "David."
Dave currently ranks #2,456 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1959.
Variants & nicknames
Contribute to this name
Help improve this page with a meaning, origin, or correction—and get credited as a contributor.
Share your knowledge about this name—meaning, origin, pronunciation, or correction. Your contribution is reviewed and credited with your name.
Login to contributeWe use Google & Facebook login — no password needed.
Sibling name ideas
English names that sit beautifully beside DaveSimilar names you might like
Names starting with DMore names starting with D
- Dagny
- Dagmara
- Daire
- Daithi
- Daisy
- Daan
- Dahlia
- Daisi
- Dakota
- Daiana
- Daisie
- Dahab
- Dag
- Dajana
- Dagmar
- Daiva
- Dajan
- Daena
🧬 See Dave's popularity the year you were born →
🔢 Get Dave's free numerology report card →
💫 Is Dave your name? Get your free “My name means…” card →
👶 Have a Dave already? Find sibling names that fit →
✨ Get stylish & fancy text versions of Dave →
Names that sound like Dave
Phonetic match, not just spelling"Divya derives from Sanskrit and means "divine" or "heavenly," rooted in the Sanskrit word "div" meaning sky or heaven."
"Deepa means "lamp" or "light" and derives from Sanskrit, the ancient Indo-Aryan language of India."
"Davi means "beloved" or "friend" and derives from the Hebrew name David, ultimately from the Hebrew root *dwd* meaning "beloved."…"
"Debby is a diminutive form of Deborah, which derives from the Hebrew name Devorah (דְבוֹרָה), meaning "bee." The name has…"
"Dev is derived from the Sanskrit word "deva," meaning "god" or "divine being," and serves as a shortened form of…"
"The name 'Devi' means "goddess" in Sanskrit, derived from the root *div* ("to shine" or "heavenly")."
"The name Deep is derived from Sanskrit and means "lamp" or "light," with linguistic roots in the word "dīpa" (दीप)."
"The name 'Dipa' means "lamp" or "light" in Sanskrit, derived from the root *dīp* (to shine)."
"Debbie is a diminutive form of Deborah, which derives from the Hebrew name Devorah (דְבוֹרָה), meaning "bee." The name has…"
"Deepu is a diminutive form of the Sanskrit name Deepak, derived from the root "dīpa" meaning "lamp" or "light," symbolizing…"
"The name 'Diva' is derived from the Latin word *diva*, meaning "goddess" or "divine one," the feminine form of *divus*."
"Davy is a diminutive form of David, derived from the Hebrew name Dawid, meaning "beloved" or "friend." The name has…"