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BabyNames
Boy name#6 of boy names

David

Pronounced D EY1 V IH0 D (ARPABET)

  • 2 syllables
  • Peaked 1955
  • 145 years in use
  • Biblical
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How popular is David?

David is a boys' name, and has been in the record since the data starts in 1880. It has been given to 3,685,356 children — the 6th most common boys' name on record.

It has been slipping, down 40% on the previous decade. Its best single year was 1955, when 86,301 children were given it.

025,00050,00075,000100,00018901920195019802010
1955Boys: 86,301Girls: 149

Nicknames

Common short forms: Dave.

Characteristics

  • Biblical (Person)
  • Alliterative
  • 2 syllables
Phonetic detail
Pronunciations:
D EY1 V IH0 D
Stress pattern:
10
Syllables:
2

Stress digits mark unstressed (0), primary (1) and secondary (2) syllables.

Names like David

Same first letter and syllable count, peaking around the same time.

Sibling names for David

Names from the same era with a matching rhythm but a different initial.

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name David?
David ranks 6th among boys' names in US records, with 3,685,356 births since 1880. Over the past decade it accounts for 91,142.
Is David a unisex name?
No. David is recorded almost entirely as a boys' name; births to the other gender are too few to register as a share.
When was David most popular?
1955, when 86,301 children were given the name. It has been in use for 145 years and is still recorded as of 2024.
What are common nicknames for David?
Dave. These are recorded as separate names in their own right, so each has its own page and its own popularity curve.