Dave
/deɪv/noun
A familiar form of the given name David.
Did you know?David’s name became globally famous through the biblical king who defeated Goliath, making this ordinary nickname part of one of history’s most enduring heroic stories.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
דָּוִד (Dāwīḏ)
“A personal name traditionally interpreted as “beloved,” though the exact ancient derivation is debated.”
3rd–2nd Century BCE
Greek
Δαυίδ (Dauíd)
“Greek form of the biblical name David.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
David
“Latin form of the biblical and royal name David.”
Middle Ages
Old French
David
“The inherited personal name used in medieval French and Christian naming traditions.”
16th–17th Century
English
Dave
“An English familiar or shortened form of David.”
Modern English
English
Dave
“A common informal given name derived from David.”