Boy Name
Dave
Dave is a boy's name whose meaning is not firmly attested in the historical record. It is used as a boy's name across several naming traditions, and in 2026 it sits in the Top 1000 of US baby names.
Dave — a boy name — is distinctive but not obscure. If Davy is on your shortlist, Dave belongs in the same conversation.
Dave meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Dave has a distinctive sound and evolving modern usage.
Origin: Multiple naming traditions are associated with this name.
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.
Compare Dave side by side
Head-to-head breakdowns of meaning, popularity, pronunciation, and sibling fit.
Frequently asked about Dave
What does the name Dave mean?
Dave has no single meaning that is firmly attested in the historical record. It is used as a boy name in US birth records, and parents usually choose it for its sound rather than a documented meaning.
What is the origin of Dave?
The exact origin of Dave is debated, but it has been used across multiple naming traditions.
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.