Daudi

Daudi is a masculine given name widely used among Swahili-speaking communities in East Africa. It is the Swahili form of David, the Hebrew name interpreted as meaning “beloved.” The name arrived in the region through Christian and Islamic influences and has been integrated into local naming practices.

In East Africa, Daudi is commonly given to boys and appears in everyday life, including schools, churches, and family records. Its continued use reflects broader patterns of biblical naming in the region, where traditional African, Christian, and Muslim influences intersect.

Variants and related forms appear in other languages and transliterations, such as Dawood or Dawud in Arabic-speaking contexts. In Swahili, Daudi stands as the standard local rendering and may be encountered in full names or as part of compound given names. The name’s meaning and its biblical connection contribute to its persistence in communities across Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and among Swahili-speaking diasporas.