David Bowie
English singer-songwriter and cultural icon
Boy Old & New Testament Very common
well-beloved, dear
דָּוִד Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ da.vid
David (Hebrew: דָּוִד, da.vid) means “well-beloved, dear”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 1050 verses across 28 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 6,801 children in the United States, ranking 35. Use is falling away. Around 3,689,613 Americans have been given it since 1880. Its best-attested bearer belongs to the tribe of Judah.
One person in scripture bears this name.
son of Jesse; father of Nathan; father of Shobab
| Country | Form | Standing | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | David | rank 35 · 6,801 in 2025 | Births in year |
| Argentina | DAVID | 11,283 registrations | Births in year |
| Brazil | DAVI | 430,933 bearers · born 1930–2010 | Living residents |
| Spain | DAVID | 373,016 bearers · mean age 37.7 | Living residents |
| Portugal | David | permitted | IRN approved list |
Two different questions are shown here. Rows marked births in year count children registered during a period; rows marked living residents count people of every age alive at a census. They answer different questions and are never added together.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 6,801 | Falling |
| All-time total | 3,689,613 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 86,454 in 1955 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Ruth 4:17 |
| Last appears | Revelation 22:16 |
| Cross-references | 20,011 linked passages |
A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17;
son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I);
brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339);
father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N)
Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138)
§ David = "beloved"
youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
David, son of Jesse, was the anointed king of Israel, a man after God's own heart, and an ancestor of Jesus Christ.
David, the son of Jesse from Bethlehem, was a prominent figure in the Old Testament and is mentioned extensively throughout the Bible. He was anointed by Samuel to be king over Israel, succeeding Saul (1Sa.16.13). David first gained fame as a young man by defeating the Philistine giant Goliath with a sling and a stone (1 Samuel 17).
David's reign as king was marked by military successes, as he defeated the enemies of Israel and expanded the kingdom (2 Samuel 8). He is known for his devotion to God and is called "a man after God's own heart" (1Sa.13.14; Act.13.22). Many of the psalms in the Bible are attributed to David, reflecting his deep faith and trust in God (e.g., Psalms 3, 23, 51).
However, David's life was not without flaws. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrated the death of her husband, Uriah (2 Samuel 11). As a result, David faced consequences, including the death of his child and turmoil within his family (2 Samuel 12-18).
Despite his failings, David remained a central figure in Israel's history and a model of repentance and faith. He was promised an enduring dynasty, and the Messiah would come from his lineage (2Sa.7.12-16). This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is called the "Son of David" (Mat.1.1; Rom.1.3).
David's life and reign are recorded in 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, and portions of 1 Kings. His significance extends into the New Testament, where he is mentioned in connection with Jesus' lineage and messianic identity (Mat.1.1; Luk.1.32; Act.13.22-23; Rev.22.16).
David appears in 964 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Ruth 4:17And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
Ruth 4:22Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
1 Samuel 16:13Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.
1 Samuel 16:19And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
1 Samuel 16:20English singer-songwriter and cultural icon
English footballer who captained the national team
English broadcaster and natural historian
American filmmaker known for Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive
American late-night talk show host
Renaissance marble statue depicting the biblical David