Davey first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Davey has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Davey

A masculine diminutive of David, derived from Hebrew meaning "beloved".

Popularity of Davey by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Davey is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 89% of people named Davey being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 32 male babies and 17 female babies born with the name Davey.

YearMale CountFemale Count
20243217
20232918
20223523
20213126
20202916
20192214
20182310
2017110
20162014
2015238
2014186
2013187
2012170
2011190
2010260
2009140
2008140
2007250
2006195
2005220
2004140
2003150
2002290
2001200
2000146
1999280
1998250
1997340
1996320
1995340
1994755
1993720
1992260
1991260
1990200
1989330
1988290
1987260
1986270
1985260
1984200
1983280
1982380
1981360
1980390
1979420
1978590
1977490
1976500
1975340

The history of the first name Davey

The name Davey is a diminutive form of the name David, which has its origins in the Hebrew name דָּוִד (Daveed). The name David is derived from the Hebrew root word "dod," meaning "beloved" or "uncle." It gained widespread popularity due to its association with the biblical figure, King David, who ruled over the ancient Kingdom of Israel around 1000 BCE.

The name Davey emerged as a familiar or diminutive form of David, primarily used as a nickname or shortened version of the name. It was commonly used in English-speaking countries and gained popularity as a standalone given name in its own right.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Davey can be found in the medieval English ballad "Davy and Goli," which dates back to the 13th century. This ballad tells the story of a young man named Davy, who embarks on a adventure with his beloved Goli.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Davey. One of the most famous was Davey Crockett (1786-1836), an American folk hero, frontiersman, and politician. He was known for his exploits as a soldier, hunter, and storyteller, and his legendary status has been immortalized in popular culture.

Another notable figure was Davey Graham (1940-2008), a British guitarist and musician who was a pioneering figure in the British folk revival of the 1960s. He was influential in introducing modal and Eastern influences into British folk music and inspired many later musicians.

In the world of sports, Davey Johnson (born 1943) was a renowned American baseball player and manager. He played for several Major League Baseball teams, including the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies, and later managed teams like the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals.

Davey Moore (1959-1988) was an American professional boxer who held the WBA featherweight title in the mid-1980s. Tragically, he passed away due to injuries sustained during a fight against Sumbu Kalambay in 1988.

Lastly, Davey Wharton (1941-2011) was a South African cricketer who played for the South African national team in the 1960s and early 1970s. He was a talented all-rounder known for his aggressive batting and effective off-spin bowling.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Davey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Davey, please contact us.

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