David Biblical Meaning

David in the Bible

David is the shepherd boy who became the great king of Israel, slaying Goliath and composing many of the Psalms (1 and 2 Samuel). His name means 'beloved', and his story of faith, leadership and deep humanity has made David one of the most significant and enduring names across Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions.

Meaning and significance

David grew up inside the Hebrew tradition, where a name was meant to carry blessing and identity, not just sound. As it travelled, David kept its 'beloved' sense intact, handed down to honour relatives and express a hope for the child.

The imagery around David is one of devotion, warmth and the heart, deepened by the Hebrew tradition behind it.

David in Christian and Jewish naming tradition

Names with deep scriptural roots like David have been passed down for generations as a way of honouring faith and connecting a child to a story larger than themselves. Within Hebrew culture, David connects to enduring values through its idea of devotion, warmth and the heart. As David spread internationally it was received warmly and adopted by families well beyond its origin — a sign of a name that crosses cultural lines gracefully. Regional forms of David exist, yet 'beloved' usually stays intact across them. David lets families abroad keep a link to their roots without choosing something hard to wear day to day.

Explore more

Return to the full David name page for origin, popularity and numerology, or browse more names of biblical origin.