"dove bird, symbol of peace and love"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Dove
Pronunciation: [ d-UHV ]
Does Dove flow with your last name?
Peace incarnate, in one pure syllable
English
American
International
Gentle
Elegant
Spiritual
Whimsical
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"messenger of the Holy Spirit"
Origin: Christian symbolism
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- The Dove soap/beauty brand is well-known, though generally a positive association with gentleness
The Story of Dove
Dove comes from the Old English 'dūfe' and Old Norse 'dúfa,' referring to the pigeon family bird. The dove has been a symbol of peace, love, and the Holy Spirit across cultures for millennia. It appears in the story of Noah's ark bringing back an olive branch, and in the New Testament descending upon Jesus at his baptism. As a given name, Dove is part of the modern bird-name trend that includes Wren, Robin, and Lark.
Dove began gaining traction as a given name in the early 2010s, and received a significant boost from actress Dove Cameron, who rose to fame on the Disney Channel series Liv and Maddie. Her presence made the name feel modern and accessible.
The dove is arguably the most universal peace symbol in the world, appearing across Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and secular traditions. A child named Dove carries this legacy of hope and reconciliation.
Historical Record
Dove first appeared in US Social Security records in 1958.
Over 938 babies have been named Dove in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dove is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,632 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The word 'pigeon' and 'dove' refer to the same bird family — dove is typically used for smaller, white varieties
- Dove Cameron was born Chloe Celeste Hosterman and chose Dove as her stage name
Dove in Other Languages
Latin
Columba
French
Colombe
Hebrew
יוֹנָה (Yona)
Italian
Colomba
Spanish
Paloma
Popularity Over Time
#1,632
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dove
D
Dove Cameron
Actor
1996
American actress and singer known for Liv and Maddie, Descendants, and the musical Wicked on Broadway
D
Dove (biblical symbol)
Other
The dove that returned to Noah's ark with an olive branch, symbolizing the end of the flood
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Compare Dove with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,632
- Total SSA Count
- 127
- Cultural Origins
- English American International
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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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, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dove
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Dove is also used as a boy name, ranked #32794.
View Dove as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dove
What does the name Dove mean?
"dove bird, symbol of peace and love" (from Old English). "messenger of the Holy Spirit" (from Christian symbolism). Dove comes from the Old English 'dūfe' and Old Norse 'dúfa,' referring to the pigeon family bird. The dove has been a symbol of peace, love, and the Holy Spirit across cultures for millennia. It appears in the story of Noah's ark bringing back an olive branch, and in the New Testament descending upon Jesus at his baptism. As a given name, Dove is part of the modern bird-name trend that includes Wren, Robin, and Lark.
What is the origin of the name Dove?
Dove has Old English, Christian symbolism, English, American, and International origins. In Old English, it means "dove bird, symbol of peace and love". In Christian symbolism, it means "messenger of the Holy Spirit".
Is Dove a boy or girl name?
Dove is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1632. As a boy name, it is ranked #32794. Dove is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Dove?
Dove is pronounced d-UHV.
How popular is the name Dove?
Dove is currently ranked #1632 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Dove?
Popular middle name pairings include Dove Anne, Dove Marie, Dove Elise, Dove Rose, Dove Grace, Dove Celeste, and Dove Joy.
What are good sibling names for Dove?
Names that pair well with Dove as siblings include Wren, Lark, Hawk, Robin, Sparrow, Juniper, Iris, and Reed.
How many syllables does Dove have?
Dove has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dove a common or rare name?
Dove is an uncommon name, ranked #1632 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Dove?
Are there other spellings for Dove?
Related spellings include Dovie.
About the Name Dove
Dove is a girl name with English, American, and International origins . The name means "dove bird, symbol of peace and love" in Old English .
Is Dove a boy or girl name? Dove is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,632 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #32,794. Dove is more commonly used as a girl name.
Dove is currently ranked #1,632 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Dove has 1 syllable and is pronounced d-UHV, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Dove include Dovie . 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