Boy Name · Hebrew Origin
Dave
Dave — a boy name from the Hebrew tradition — is distinctive but not obscure. Its meaning, "Beloved", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Davy is on your shortlist, Dave belongs in the same conversation.
Dave meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Beloved
Origin: Hebrew naming roots help connect Dave to related Hebrew baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Dave as D·A·V·E, with 4 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Dave is distinctive but not obscure in the Top 1000 tier.
Dave variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Davea, Davee, Davey.
- Nicknames: Dave works as its own nickname.
- Middle names: Pair Dave with a middle name that balances its short sound; start with the Dave middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Davy, Dava, Davie, Davey, Debi — full picks on the sibling names for Dave guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Dave? Browse our names like Dave guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Dave
What does the name Dave mean?
Dave means "Beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of Dave?
Dave originates in Hebrew naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Dave?
Dave has 4 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Dave a boy's or girl's name?
Dave is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Dave in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Dave sits in the Top 1000 tier — distinctive but not obscure.
What names are similar to Dave?
Names that share Dave's sound and style include Davy, Dava, Davie, Davey, Debi.
What middle names pair well with Dave?
Good middle-name fits for Dave pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Dave is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Dave is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Dave?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Dave share its rhythm without rhyming — Davy, Dava, Davie all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.