David vs Ryan

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

David

Boy #31 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"beloved, dear"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Hebrew English Spanish French Scottish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#31
Total SSA Count
7,317
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Dave, Davie, Davo

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for David →

Ryan

Boy #87 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"little king"

Origin: Irish Gaelic (O'Riain)

Cultural Roots

Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#87
Total SSA Count
3,892
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ryan →

Popularity Comparison

David Rank #31
Ryan Rank #87

David is more popular, ranked #31 vs #87 for Ryan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

David ___

  • David James
  • David Michael
  • David Robert
  • David Thomas
  • David Andrew
  • David John

Ryan ___

  • Ryan James
  • Ryan Michael
  • Ryan Patrick
  • Ryan Thomas
  • Ryan Cole
  • Ryan Joseph

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose David

Jonathan Hannah Samuel Rachel Benjamin

If you choose Ryan

Connor Aidan Brendan Kaitlyn Meghan

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is David or Ryan more popular?

David is more popular, ranked #31 compared to Ryan at #87 in the United States.

What do David and Ryan mean?

David means "beloved, dear" (Hebrew origin). Ryan means "little king" (Irish Gaelic (O'Riain) origin).

Are David and Ryan boy or girl names?

David is primarily a boy name. Ryan is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Ryan vs David David vs Oliver David vs Jason David vs Levi David vs Calvin
← Full profile: David ← Full profile: Ryan Browse all baby names