gender neutral
David
beloved
About David
Enduringly popular for excellent reasons, David represents one of naming's most reliable choices. This timeless classic has transcended centuries, cultures, and trends while maintaining universal appeal and recognition. Parents choose David knowing it works everywhere—across languages, cultures, and professional environments—without ever seeming out of place. The name carries historical gravitas and cultural significance across multiple religious traditions while remaining completely accessible and unpretentious. Its two syllables create perfect balance: substantial enough to convey importance yet simple enough for immediate familiarity. David adapts to any personality type, never limiting or defining your son's potential identity. It's simultaneously traditional and contemporary, classic without feeling old-fashioned. The name's proven track record provides reassurance—countless successful, creative, and accomplished individuals have carried it proudly. David offers the security of the familiar combined with genuine respect and positive associations. Sometimes the most popular choices remain popular precisely because they're simply, consistently excellent.
Popularity of the Name David
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #18 | ||||
| 1881 | #18 | ||||
| 1882 | #19 | ||||
| 1883 | #20 | ||||
| 1884 | #21 | ||||
| 1885 | #22 | ||||
| 1886 | #24 | ||||
| 1887 | #22 | ||||
| 1888 | #21 | ||||
| 1889 | #22 | ||||
| 1890 | #26 | ||||
| 1891 | #26 | ||||
| 1892 | #24 | ||||
| 1893 | #27 | ||||
| 1894 | #29 | ||||
| 1895 | #32 | ||||
| 1896 | #28 | ||||
| 1897 | #29 | ||||
| 1898 | #30 | ||||
| 1899 | #32 | ||||
| 1900 | #32 | #24 | |||
| 1901 | #30 | #21 | |||
| 1902 | #31 | #18 | |||
| 1903 | #33 | #22 | |||
| 1904 | #31 | #19 | |||
| 1905 | #32 | #23 | |||
| 1906 | #31 | #27 | |||
| 1907 | #31 | #19 | |||
| 1908 | #30 | #20 | |||
| 1909 | #29 | #24 | |||
| 1910 | #30 | #24 | |||
| 1911 | #27 | #22 | |||
| 1912 | #29 | #23 | |||
| 1913 | #29 | #18 | |||
| 1914 | #29 | #23 | |||
| 1915 | #31 | #17 | |||
| 1916 | #28 | #25 | |||
| 1917 | #28 | #18 | |||
| 1918 | #28 | #21 | |||
| 1919 | #27 | #13 | |||
| 1920 | #25 | #17 | |||
| 1921 | #25 | #17 | |||
| 1922 | #24 | #17 | |||
| 1923 | #24 | #13 | |||
| 1924 | #24 | #13 | |||
| 1925 | #22 | #13 | |||
| 1926 | #22 | #9 | |||
| 1927 | #21 | #8 | |||
| 1928 | #19 | #9 | |||
| 1929 | #17 | #8 | |||
| 1930 | #15 | #7 | |||
| 1931 | #13 | #7 | |||
| 1932 | #12 | #5 | |||
| 1933 | #13 | #8 | |||
| 1934 | #12 | #8 | |||
| 1935 | #11 | #4 | |||
| 1936 | #10 | #5 | |||
| 1937 | #8 | #4 | |||
| 1938 | #8 | #4 | |||
| 1939 | #7 | #3 | |||
| 1940 | #7 | #6 | |||
| 1941 | #7 | #3 | |||
| 1942 | #6 | #3 | |||
| 1943 | #6 | #2 | |||
| 1944 | #6 | #2 | |||
| 1945 | #6 | #2 | |||
| 1946 | #6 | #2 | |||
| 1947 | #6 | #2 | |||
| 1948 | #5 | #2 | |||
| 1949 | #6 | #2 | |||
| 1950 | #5 | #2 | |||
| 1951 | #5 | #2 | |||
| 1952 | #5 | #3 | |||
| 1953 | #5 | #2 | |||
| 1954 | #5 | #2 | |||
| 1955 | #2 | #3 | |||
| 1956 | #4 | #3 | |||
| 1957 | #3 | #3 | |||
| 1958 | #2 | #2 | |||
| 1959 | #2 | #2 | |||
| 1960 | #1 | #1 | |||
| 1961 | #2 | #1 | |||
| 1962 | #2 | #1 | |||
| 1963 | #3 | #1 | |||
| 1964 | #3 | #1 | #7 | ||
| 1965 | #3 | #1 | #7 | ||
| 1966 | #2 | #1 | #7 | ||
| 1967 | #2 | #1 | #7 | ||
| 1968 | #2 | #2 | #5 | ||
| 1969 | #2 | #1 | #6 | ||
| 1970 | #3 | #3 | #4 | ||
| 1971 | #3 | #3 | #4 | ||
| 1972 | #4 | #3 | #4 | ||
| 1973 | #5 | #4 | #4 | ||
| 1974 | #4 | #4 | #4 | ||
| 1975 | #5 | #3 | #3 | ||
| 1976 | #4 | #5 | #2 | ||
| 1977 | #4 | #4 | #2 | ||
| 1978 | #4 | #3 | #2 | ||
| 1979 | #4 | #2 | #2 | ||
| 1980 | #4 | #3 | #2 | ||
| 1981 | #5 | #3 | #2 | ||
| 1982 | #5 | #5 | #2 | ||
| 1983 | #4 | #5 | #2 | ||
| 1984 | #5 | #5 | #2 | ||
| 1985 | #6 | #6 | #1 | ||
| 1986 | #5 | #6 | #2 | ||
| 1987 | #5 | #9 | #1 | ||
| 1988 | #6 | #10 | #1 | ||
| 1989 | #5 | #7 | #1 | ||
| 1990 | #6 | #10 | #1 | ||
| 1991 | #8 | #13 | #1 | #4 | |
| 1992 | #10 | #14 | #1 | #5 | |
| 1993 | #11 | #19 | #1 | #6 | |
| 1994 | #13 | #20 | #2 | #7 | |
| 1995 | #16 | #25 | #3 | #13 | |
| 1996 | #13 | #27 | #8 | #13 | |
| 1997 | #14 | #30 | #26 | #7 | #12 |
| 1998 | #13 | #33 | #29 | #8 | #16 |
| 1999 | #16 | #40 | #36 | #7 | #21 |
| 2000 | #16 | #39 | #28 | #7 | #19 |
| 2001 | #12 | #42 | #30 | #7 | #23 |
| 2002 | #13 | #45 | #42 | #9 | #23 |
| 2003 | #14 | #44 | #46 | #9 | #26 |
| 2004 | #14 | #47 | #54 | #12 | #31 |
| 2005 | #12 | #54 | #46 | #15 | #31 |
| 2006 | #13 | #56 | #62 | #21 | #31 |
| 2007 | #12 | #57 | #53 | #16 | #32 |
| 2008 | #14 | #57 | #64 | #21 | #33 |
| 2009 | #14 | #61 | #59 | #25 | #33 |
| 2010 | #15 | #61 | #61 | #25 | #30 |
| 2011 | #18 | #57 | #59 | #24 | #34 |
| 2012 | #20 | #57 | #62 | #27 | #33 |
| 2013 | #17 | #49 | #66 | #28 | #36 |
| 2014 | #17 | #46 | #73 | #23 | #38 |
| 2015 | #18 | #43 | #82 | #23 | #39 |
| 2016 | #19 | #41 | #77 | #27 | #36 |
| 2017 | #22 | #44 | #82 | #27 | #42 |
| 2018 | #22 | #48 | #98 | #31 | #47 |
| 2019 | #27 | #56 | #98 | #42 | #41 |
| 2020 | #28 | #60 | #84 | #33 | #43 |
| 2021 | #30 | #62 | #128 | #50 | #50 |
| 2022 | #31 | #61 | #152 | #44 | #51 |
| 2023 | #27 | #63 | #121 | #49 | #46 |
| 2024 | #31 | #65 | #64 | #42 | #48 |
| 2025 | #35 | #72 | #94 | #46 | #44 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name David
Names Similar to David
Nicknames for David
- Dave
- Davy
- Vid
- DD
Famous People Named David
| David Beckham | English former professional soccer player |
| David Bowie | British musician and actor |
| David Letterman | American television host and comedian |
| David Attenborough | British naturalist and broadcaster |
| David Copperfield | American illusionist and magician |
| David Guetta | French DJ and music producer |
| David Schwimmer | American actor |
| David Tennant | Scottish actor |
| David Foster Wallace | American author |
| David Hockney | British painter |
| David Gilmour | British musician, member of Pink Floyd |
| David Fincher | American film director |
| David Oyelowo | British-Nigerian actor |
| David Suchet | British actor, known for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot |
| David Carradine | American actor |
| David Harbour | American actor |
| David Niven | British actor |
| David Sedaris | American humorist and author |
| David Lynch | American filmmaker |
Characters Named David
| David Haller | Marvel Comics character, known as Legion |
| David Lightman | protagonist in the movie "WarGames" |
| David Levinson | character in the movie "Independence Day" |
| David Dunn | character in the movie "Unbreakable" |
| David Bowman | character in the novel and film "2001 - A Space Odyssey" |
| David Rose | character in the TV show "Schitt's Creek" |
| David Copperfield | protagonist in the novel by Charles Dickens |
| David Xanatos | character in the animated series "Gargoyles" |
| David Nolan/Prince Charming | character in the TV show "Once Upon a Time" |
| David Palmer | character in the TV show "24" |
| David Sims | character in the video game "The Sims" |
| David Starsky | character in the TV show "Starsky & Hutch" |
| David Rice | character in the novel "Red Queen" by Victoria Aveyard |
| David Fisher | character in the TV show "Six Feet Under" |
| David Madsen | character in the video game "Life is Strange" |
| David Morrissey | character in the TV show "The Walking Dead" |
| David "Dave" Lizewski | protagonist in the comic book series "Kick-Ass" |
| David Gale | character in the movie "The Life of David Gale" |
| David Morgan | character in the video game "Dead Rising" |