Dewi

Dewi is a given name with multiple origins and uses. In Wales and among Welsh speakers, it is the Welsh form of the given name David, derived from the Hebrew Dawid, meaning "beloved." In Welsh tradition, Dewi Sant is St. David, the patron saint of Wales, and his feast day on March 1 is associated with Welsh culture and identity. The name is common in Wales and remains a familiar choice for boys in Welsh-speaking communities.

In Indonesia and some other parts of Southeast Asia, Dewi is a common female given name derived from the Sanskrit Devi, meaning "goddess" or "divine lady." This usage developed independently of the Welsh name and reflects different linguistic roots and cultural associations.

Today, Dewi is encountered as a first name in various countries, often without regard to its origins, and is typically used for girls in Southeast Asia and for men in Wales. The name thus shows how a single phonetic form can have distinct cultural trajectories.