Dave
Meaning & Origin
Meaning: Beloved
Background: The name Dave is a diminutive of David, which originates from the Hebrew name דוד (Dāviḏ), meaning 'beloved.' The name David has been used in English since the Middle Ages, retaining its connection to the original Hebrew meaning.
At a glance
Quick stats based on the history of this name.
Lifetime rank
#423
Total births
64,442
Most popular decade
1950s
(44,562 births)
10-year trend
↓ Falling (-123 ranks)
Years in Top 100
2
First recorded year
1880
Gender usage
99.8% male
0.2% female
Stats by gender
Male
- First year
- 1880
- First year births
- 131
- First year rank
- #102
- Peak year
- 1959
- Peak year births
- 3,308
- Peak rank
- #119
- Most recent year
- 2024
- Recent year births
- 76
- Recent rank
- #2,007
Female
- First year
- 1882
- First year births
- 5
- First year rank
- #908
- Peak year
- 1918
- Peak year births
- 9
- Peak rank
- #3,244
- Most recent year
- 1969
- Recent year births
- 5
- Recent rank
- #7,472
Births over time
Number of babies given this name each year.
Rank over time
Popularity rank by year (1 = most popular).