Meaning & Origin
A diminutive of the male given name David, also used as a formal given name.
Dave is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a diminutive of David, from the Hebrew dāwid, meaning 'beloved.' While historically a nickname, Dave has been used as a standalone given name for decades, carried by everyone from Dave Brubeck to Dave Grohl.
With nearly 65,000 U.S. births, Dave is quintessentially American — unpretentious, solid, and warm. It is a name that belongs to someone you trust immediately, carrying the beloved meaning of David in the friendliest possible form.