"son of David"
Origin: English patronymic
Language: English
Davidson
Pronunciation: [ d-AYV-ihds-uhn ]
Does Davidson flow with your last name?
Beloved lineage with modern surname swagger
English
Scottish
American
Strong
Modern
Bold
Classic
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Meaning & Origin
"beloved son"
Origin: Hebrew David via English
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Pete Davidson is a prominent celebrity with a polarizing public image that may color associations with the name
The Story of Davidson
Davidson is an English and Scottish patronymic surname meaning son of David, where David comes from the Hebrew name Dawid, believed to mean beloved. As a surname, Davidson has been common in Scotland and northern England for centuries. Following the trend of surname-to-first-name transfers, Davidson has emerged as a given name with a strong, distinguished feel that retains an obvious familial connection to the name David.
Davidson began appearing as a given name alongside other patronymic surname names like Harrison, Jefferson, and Madison. Its rise as a first name accelerated in the 2010s when the surname-as-first-name trend peaked, giving parents a way to honor a family member named David while choosing something more distinctive.
Scotland has particularly strong Davidson clan heritage going back to the Clan Davidson (Clan Dhai), one of the ancient Highland clans. Davidson College in North Carolina (founded 1837) and Harley-Davidson motorcycles are among the most recognizable American cultural institutions bearing the name.
Historical Record
Davidson first appeared in US Social Security records in 1956.
Over 1,098 babies have been named Davidson in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Davidson is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,723 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Davidson is the name of the Scottish Clan Davidson or Clan Dhai one of the ancient Highland clans of Scotland
- Harley-Davidson the iconic American motorcycle brand is named after founders William Harley and Arthur Davidson
- Davidson College in North Carolina was founded in 1837 and named after Revolutionary War general William Lee Davidson
Davidson in Other Languages
French
Davidson
German
Davidson
Spanish
Davidson
Portuguese
Davidson
Scottish Gaelic
MacDhaibhidh
Popularity Over Time
#5,723
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Davidson
P
Pete Davidson
Entertainer
1993
American comedian and actor known for Saturday Night Live and multiple high-profile relationships
A
Arthur Davidson
Business
1881
American co-founder of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, one of the world's most iconic motorcycle brands
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Compare Davidson with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,723
- Total SSA Count
- 16
- Cultural Origins
- English Scottish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Dave
Davie
Davis
Dav
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Davidson
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Davidson
What does the name Davidson mean?
"son of David" (from English patronymic). "beloved son" (from Hebrew David via English). Davidson is an English and Scottish patronymic surname meaning son of David, where David comes from the Hebrew name Dawid, believed to mean beloved. As a surname, Davidson has been common in Scotland and northern England for centuries. Following the trend of surname-to-first-name transfers, Davidson has emerged as a given name with a strong, distinguished feel that retains an obvious familial connection to the name David.
What is the origin of the name Davidson?
Davidson has English patronymic, Hebrew David via English, English, Scottish, and American origins. In English patronymic, it means "son of David". In Hebrew David via English, it means "beloved son".
Is Davidson a boy or girl name?
Davidson is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Davidson?
Davidson is pronounced d-AYV-ihds-uhn.
How popular is the name Davidson?
Davidson is currently ranked #5723 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Davidson?
Common nicknames for Davidson include Dave, Davie, Davis, and Dav.
What are good middle names for Davidson?
Popular middle name pairings include Davidson James, Davidson Cole, Davidson Reid, Davidson Grant, Davidson Lee, Davidson Scott, and Davidson Pierce.
What are good sibling names for Davidson?
Names that pair well with Davidson as siblings include Harrison, Jefferson, Jackson, Emerson, Addison, Madison, and Anderson.
How many syllables does Davidson have?
Davidson has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Davidson a common or rare name?
Davidson is an uncommon name, ranked #5723 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Davidson?
About the Name Davidson
Davidson is a boy name with English, Scottish, and American origins . The name means "son of David" in English patronymic .
Davidson is currently ranked #5,723 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Davidson has 3 syllables and is pronounced d-AYV-ihds-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Davidson include Dave, Davie, Davis, and Dav. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Davidson 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