Boy · 167th of 7,552
Dave
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
64,442
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1959
Peak Popularity Year
3,308
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Dave stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Dave originates from the Hebrew name David, meaning 'beloved'. It has evolved through various forms, including Dawid and Dafydd, before becoming popular as Dave in modern English. The name carries a strong biblical relevance through King David. Today, it is viewed positively as a casual and friendly name, with notable individuals bearing the name contributing to its popularity.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/deɪv/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Dave is derived from the Hebrew name David, which means 'beloved'.
Meaning
beloved
Language Evolution
David (Hebrew), Dawid (Old French), Dafydd (Welsh), Dave (Modern English)
Biblical Background
The name has significant biblical relevance as King David is a central figure in the Bible, known for his leadership and poetic talents.
Historical Usage
Dave gained popularity as a diminutive form of David in the 20th century, especially in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
David, Davy, Dav, Dae
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Dave is often perceived as a friendly and approachable name, commonly used in casual settings.
Famous People
Dave Chappelle, Dave Grohl, Dave Bautista, Dave Matthews
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,308 peak births in 1959
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Montana
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 275th of 7545 | 6,459 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 211th of 6773 | 11,452 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 167th of 7552 | 32,347 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 388th of 10718 | 6,780 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 854th of 16616 | 2,179 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1513th of 24088 | 1,491 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2079th of 23106 | 834 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6167th of 9107 | 27 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 6133rd of 9204 | 29 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 7387th of 12526 | 43 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 16521st of 19264 | 10 |