"uncle"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Dave
Pronunciation: [ d-AYV ]
Does Dave flow with your last name?
The beloved everyman classic, enduringly warm
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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The Story of Dave
Dave is the informal short form of David, from the Hebrew 'Dod' or 'Dawid' meaning beloved or darling. David was one of the most important figures in the Hebrew Bible—warrior, poet, and king—and his name spread throughout the world with Christianity and Judaism. Dave became common as a standalone given name in 20th-century English-speaking countries.
Dave peaked as a standalone name in mid-20th century America, reflecting the era's love of short, friendly names. While David remained popular, Dave as a given name has declined, now often seen as retro. The name carries strong associations with the Baby Boomer generation.
David is the quintessential English and Jewish name, borne by two kings of England and the patron saint of Wales. Dave, the casual form, is quintessentially American in feel—approachable, unpretentious, and everyman.
Historical Record
Dave first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 37,869 babies have been named Dave in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dave is past its peak , currently ranked #2,019 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- David has been a top-10 name in the US for most of the 20th century
- There have been numerous world leaders named Dave/David across history
- Dave Matthews Band helped keep the name in cultural conversation through the 1990s
Dave in Other Languages
Arabic
داود
French
David
Hebrew
דוד
Spanish
David
Popularity Over Time
#2,019
Current Rank
Peaked 1959
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dave
D
D
D
Dave (TV character) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of multiple sitcoms named Dave, representing the universal everyman quality of the name
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Compare Dave with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #2,019
- Total SSA Count
- 76
- Cultural Origins
- English American European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Davey
Davy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dave
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Dave
Phonetic neighbors that share Dave's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Dave is also used as a girl name, ranked #71346.
View Dave as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Old English origin
"buck's meadow, deer clearing"
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Germanic origin
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Hebrew origin
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Old Irish via Norman Latin origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dave
What does the name Dave mean?
"uncle" (from Hebrew). Dave is the informal short form of David, from the Hebrew 'Dod' or 'Dawid' meaning beloved or darling. David was one of the most important figures in the Hebrew Bible—warrior, poet, and king—and his name spread throughout the world with Christianity and Judaism. Dave became common as a standalone given name in 20th-century English-speaking countries.
What is the origin of the name Dave?
Dave has Hebrew, English, American, and European origins. In Hebrew, it means "uncle".
Is Dave a boy or girl name?
Dave is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2019. As a girl name, it is ranked #71346. Dave is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Dave?
Dave is pronounced d-AYV.
How popular is the name Dave?
Dave is currently ranked #2019 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dave?
Common nicknames for Dave include Davey and Davy.
What are good middle names for Dave?
Popular middle name pairings include Dave James, Dave Michael, Dave Thomas, Dave William, Dave Paul, and Dave Allen.
What are good sibling names for Dave?
Names that pair well with Dave as siblings include Mark, Paul, John, Linda, Carol, and Janet.
How many syllables does Dave have?
Dave has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dave a common or rare name?
Dave is an uncommon name, ranked #2019 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Dave?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Dave
Dave is a boy name with English, American, and European origins . The name means "uncle" in Hebrew .
Is Dave a boy or girl name? Dave is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,019 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #71,346. Dave is more commonly used as a boy name.
Dave is currently ranked #2,019 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Dave has 1 syllable and is pronounced d-AYV, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dave include Davey and Davy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dave include David, Davis, Davion, Davian, Davi . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis