David
Say it: DAY-vid/ˈdeɪvɪd/
BoyMeans usually explained as "dear one" or "loved"5 letters2 syllables
#45
in Ireland (2025)
#46 with spellings combined
114
babies in 2025
#1
best rank (1985)
50,892
babies since 1964
Down 23
10-year rank change
David through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 114 | #46 |
| 2024 | 134 | #42 |
| 2023 | 122 | #49 |
| 2022 | 143 | #44 |
| 2021 | 141 | #50 |
| 2020 | 168 | #33 |
| 2019 | 160 | #42 |
| 2018 | 225 | #31 |
| 2017 | 255 | #27 |
| 2016 | 253 | #27 |
| 2015 | 293 | #23 |
| 2014 | 306 | #23 |
| 2013 | 262 | #28 |
| 2012 | 292 | #27 |
| 2011 | 331 | #24 |
| 2010 | 332 | #25 |
| 2009 | 326 | #25 |
| 2008 | 403 | #21 |
| 2007 | 418 | #16 |
| 2006 | 383 | #21 |
| 2005 | 401 | #14 |
| 2004 | 459 | #12 |
| 2003 | 480 | #9 |
| 2002 | 501 | #9 |
| 2001 | 549 | #7 |
| 2000 | 492 | #7 |
| 1999 | 524 | #7 |
| 1998 | 439 | #8 |
| 1997 | 617 | #7 |
| 1996 | 640 | #8 |
| 1995 | 759 | #3 |
| 1994 | 793 | #2 |
| 1993 | 866 | #1 |
| 1992 | 996 | #1 |
| 1991 | 1,091 | #1 |
| 1990 | 1,108 | #1 |
| 1989 | 1,186 | #1 |
| 1988 | 1,318 | #1 |
| 1987 | 1,282 | #1 |
| 1986 | 1,244 | #2 |
| 1985 | 1,464 | #1 |
| 1984 | 1,556 | #2 |
| 1983 | 1,631 | #2 |
| 1982 | 1,683 | #2 |
| 1981 | 1,633 | #2 |
| 1980 | 1,740 | #2 |
| 1979 | 1,695 | #2 |
| 1978 | 1,637 | #2 |
| 1977 | 1,571 | #2 |
| 1976 | 1,478 | #2 |
| 1975 | 1,360 | #3 |
| 1974 | 1,263 | #4 |
| 1973 | 1,262 | #4 |
| 1972 | 1,253 | #4 |
| 1971 | 1,269 | #4 |
| 1970 | 1,160 | #4 |
| 1969 | 1,127 | #6 |
| 1968 | 1,149 | #5 |
| 1967 | 1,125 | #7 |
| 1966 | 992 | #7 |
| 1965 | 1,102 | #7 |
| 1964 | 936 | #7 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does David mean?
Usually explained as "dear one" or "loved"
Hebrew, from Dawid, the name of the biblical king.
Say it right
DAYvid
The story of David
David comes from the Hebrew Dawid, usually explained as dear one or loved. Its fame rests on King David of the Hebrew Bible, the shepherd boy who faced Goliath and went on to rule Israel. He is an important figure in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Saint David, a later bearer, is the patron saint of Wales.
For much of the CSO record David was one of Ireland’s most popular boys’ names, and it was in the top ten every year from 1964 to 2003. Its peak was in 1980, with 1,740 babies. It was number 1 in 1985, and again every year from 1987 to 1993.
It is still widely given, though it has slipped out of the top 40 in recent years. In Northern Ireland it has been less dominant, and its best there was 9th in 1997.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: David (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: David (name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
DaveDavy
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| David | 114 | 50,892 |
In Northern Ireland
#126 in 2025 with 18 babies. Best rank #9 (1997); 2,402 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.