David

David is a male given name of Hebrew origin. It derives from the Hebrew name Dawid, traditionally understood to mean “beloved” or “friend.” The exact etymology is debated, but the form took root in the Hebrew Bible and spread through Christian and Islamic communities.

In the Hebrew Bible, David is the second king of Israel, renowned for uniting the tribes and establishing Jerusalem as the capital. He is also traditionally associated with authorship of many of the Psalms. Over the centuries, the name spread across Europe and the wider world, carried by saints, rulers, and merchants.

Variations and patronymics are common: Davies (Welsh), Davis (English/Welsh), and Davidson (Scottish); Dawid in Polish; Davide in Italian; Dávid in Hungarian and Slovak; Dawud in Arabic. But David remains a common given name worldwide; it has also become a surname in some cultures.

Notable people named David include figures from ancient and modern times, such as King David of Israel; statesman David Ben-Gurion; musician David Bowie; footballer David Beckham; author David Hume; and naturalist Sir David Attenborough. The name continues to be widely used across many cultures and languages.