"son of David, beloved"
Davis
Pronunciation: [ d-AYV-uhs ]
Does Davis flow with your last name?
A sleek surname name rooted in "beloved"
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Davis
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"beloved"
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Davis
Davis is a patronymic surname meaning ‘son of David,’ with David derived from the Hebrew Dawid, meaning ‘beloved.’ As a Welsh surname, it was one of the most common family names in Wales for centuries. The trend of using surnames as given names for girls has elevated Davis into the realm of stylish, gender-neutral choices — part of the broader movement toward last-names-as-first-names that includes names like Parker, Morgan, and Avery.
Davis as a girl’s name is part of the rising trend of surname-names given to girls, following the success of names like Harper, Addison, and Madison. It gained visibility as a distinctive alternative to more common girl names, appealing to parents who want something classic yet unexpected.
The Davis surname holds significant cultural weight in American history — associated with figures like Jefferson Davis, Miles Davis, and Bette Davis. Using it as a first name for a girl gives it a fresh, modern twist while honoring this legacy of notable bearers.
Historical Record
Davis first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 785 babies have been named Davis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Davis is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #6,298 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Davis is one of the most common surnames in Wales
- The name David (Davis’s root) appears over 1,000 times in the Bible
- Bette Davis, born Ruth Elizabeth Davis, became one of the most iconic actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age
Davis in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,298
- Total SSA Count
- 19
- Cultural Origins
- English American Welsh
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Davis
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Davis is also used as a boy name, ranked #646.
View Davis as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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View all →Hebrew origin
"beloved, dear one"
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Greek Helene origin
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Arabic origin
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Old English (heah + leah) origin
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Old French/Germanic origin
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Hebrew via modern adaptation origin
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American origin
"feminine form of Leo"
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Old English origin
"clerk, scribe, learned man"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Davis
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About the Name Davis
Davis is a girl name with English, American, and Welsh origins . The name means "son of David, beloved" in English/Welsh .
Is Davis a boy or girl name? Davis is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #6,298 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #646. Davis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Davis is currently ranked #6,298 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Davis has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AYV-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Davis include Dav and Davie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Davis include Davina, Davie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
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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