Dov

Dov is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew noun דוב meaning "bear." In modern Hebrew, Dov is a commonly used given name and is also found among Jewish communities around the world.

The name is typically transliterated as Dov in English-language texts and is strongly associated with Israel, where it has been a relatively popular choice in the 20th and 21st centuries. While the bear meaning remains a reference point, the name is used as a standalone personal identity rather than as a mere epithet.

In Hebrew, the word דוב appears in classical and contemporary texts as the animal itself, and the given name Dov is treated as an independent name with its own cultural associations, including connotations of strength and endurance often linked to the bear in Jewish and Israeli contexts. The standard pronunciation is roughly "dohv."

Notable people named Dov exist across various fields, including politics, academia, and the arts, reflecting the name’s enduring presence in Hebrew-speaking communities. There are also individuals who bear Dov as part of longer compound names.

Dov is distinct from the English-language name Dove, which has a different etymology and usage. While both spellings may appear similar in English, they originate from different linguistic traditions.