Dave
Dave is a diminutive of David, derived from the Hebrew name meaning 'beloved.' While David has ancient biblical roots, Dave emerged as a casual, friendly standalone name in the 20th century.
Current Popularity
#2456 for boys
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Extremely easy to spell and pronounce
- •Has a relaxed, buddy-next-door quality that feels instantly approachable
- •Often used as a nickname for David, but works well as a standalone name
- •May feel too informal for some professional contexts
Similar Names
Famous People
Dave Grohl
Musician and Foo Fighters frontman
Dave Chappelle
Comedian and actor
Dave Bautista
Actor and former professional wrestler
Dave Matthews
Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Statistics
64,378
Total births since 1880
1959
Peak year
Discovery
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