David

Origin

Hebrew origin, from the Old Testament name Davíd, meaning 'beloved'. The name appears in the Bible as the second king of Israel and is widely used across Judeo-Christian cultures. In an Aboriginal context, the name 'David' has been adopted by some Indigenous Australians, though it does not originate from Aboriginal languages. In Māori, 'David' is also used due to Christian influence, though it is not a traditional Māori name.

Meaning

'Beloved' - signifying affection and cherished status. In Australian English contexts, it often connotes a person who is well-loved or esteemed, with cultural associations of leadership and kindness.

Pronunciation

/ˈdeɪvɪd/ (Day-vid, with emphasis on the first syllable) - a common pronunciation in Australian English, with a clear, crisp 'D' sound and emphasis on the first syllable.

Variants & Nicknames

Name Days

• 29 December (Feast of Saint David, the Patron Saint of Wales)
• 1 March (Orthodox feast of Saint David of Wales)
• 25 December (Christmas, associated with Christian saints, including references to Saint David indirectly)

Name Pairings

Names that pair well with david:

• James and Benjamin
• Oliver and Henry
• Charlotte and Emily

Fun Facts

• The name David has been popular in Australia for over a century, consistently ranking in the top 20 boys' names.
• Famous Australians named David include David Boon (cricketer) and David Campbell (singer and TV presenter).
• The ‘David’ surname has Scottish origins and has historically been associated with noble families in the UK, some of whom migrated to Australia.

Personality Traits

Common traits associated with the name david:

• Leadership
• Loyalty
• Charisma
• Reliability

Aesthetic Qualities

Classic and balanced typographically, visually straightforward, with strong consonant and vowel components contributing to its timeless appeal in Australian culture.

Geographical Distribution

Most common in urban and suburban areas across all states, with high concentration in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland due to demographic trends and immigration patterns from the UK.

Numerological Significance

Name Number 9 (based on Pythagorean numerology), associated with humanitarianism and idealism, aligning well with Australia's egalitarian cultural values.

Astrological Connections

No specific zodiac or astrological connections, but some believe the name's vibrational energy promotes leadership and compassion, fitting with Sun and Mars influences.

Historical Context

The name has a rich history in the UK and American culture, with notable figures such as King David from biblical tradition and various celebrities and politicians bearing the name. In Australia, it is associated with solid, dependable figures and has a friendly, approachable reputation.

Linguistic Adaptability

The name maintains its form across many languages, often translated or adopted with minor spelling adjustments (e.g., Davide in Italian, Dávid in Hungarian). In non-Latin scripts, it is transliterated phonetically (e.g., Давид in Cyrillic).

Famous People Named david

• David Bowie (musician)
• David Attenborough (broadcaster)
• David Warner (cricketer)

Popularity in Australia