David is a popular male given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "david," which means "beloved" or "uncle." According to biblical tradition, David was a king of ancient Israel and the second king of the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah. He was also a musician and a warrior, known for defeating the giant Goliath with a slingshot.
The name David has been widely used throughout history and across different cultures. It was the name of several early Christian saints, including Saint David of Wales, who is the patron saint of that country. The name has also been borne by numerous royalty, such as King David I of Scotland and King David II of Portugal.
David has also been popular in literature and arts. Some notable figures with this name include the Scottish poet David Mallet, the French painter David, and the American author David Foster Wallace.
In terms of popularity, David was a top 10 name for boys in the United States during much of the mid-20th century, peaking at number one between 1954 and 1956. It has since declined in popularity but remains relatively common.
The given statistics illustrate the fluctuations in the popularity of the name David over several decades in the United States. From 1938 to 2000, there were a total of 1026 babies named David born each year.
The data shows that the name David reached its peak popularity during the late 1960s and early 1970s, with a high of 36 births in 1972. This trend continued into the mid-1980s, with over 40 babies named David born each year between 1982 and 1986.
However, after reaching its peak, the popularity of the name David began to decline steadily. Between 1987 and 2000, there were fewer than 35 births per year with the name David, indicating a significant decrease in its popularity over time.
Despite this decline in recent years, the name David remains a classic choice for parents, with a total of 1026 babies named David born over the course of nearly six decades. This demonstrates that while trends may come and go, some names remain timeless favorites among American parents.