Find out how popular the first name Davey has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Davey by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Davey is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 90% of people named Davey being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 29 male babies and 18 female babies born with the name Davey.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 18 baby girls were named Davey in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

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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