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

Popularity of Dov by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Dov is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 151 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Dov.

The history of the first name Dov

The name Dov has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture. It is derived from the Hebrew word "dov," which means "bear." This name has been in use since ancient times in the Middle East and among Jewish communities around the world.

In the Bible, the name Dov is not explicitly mentioned, but the Hebrew word for bear appears in various contexts. For example, in the Book of Proverbs, it is written, "Meet a bear robbed of her cubs" (Proverbs 17:12), using the word "dov" for bear.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Dov was Dov Baer of Mezeritch, a prominent 18th-century Hasidic rabbi and a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Hasidic movement. He lived from 1704 to 1772 and played a crucial role in spreading the teachings of Hasidism.

Another notable figure was Dov Ber Manischewitz, the founder of the Manischewitz food company, which is famous for producing kosher foods, particularly matzo and wine. He was born in 1856 in Prussia and immigrated to the United States in the late 19th century, establishing his business in Cincinnati, Ohio.

In the world of literature, Dov Noy was an Israeli author and scholar known for his work on Jewish folklore and folktales. He was born in 1920 in Jerusalem and published several books on the subject, including "Folktales of the Jews" and "The Jewish Beast Fable Tradition."

Dov Gruner was an Israeli painter and sculptor who lived from 1936 to 2021. He was known for his colorful abstract works and was a prominent figure in the Israeli art scene. His sculptures and paintings can be found in various museums and public spaces in Israel.

Finally, Dov Frohman was an Israeli electrical engineer and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the development of the modern computer memory chip. He was born in 1939 and co-founded several successful technology companies, including Intel, where he worked on the development of the first commercially viable random access memory (RAM) chip.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Dov, which has its roots in the ancient Hebrew language and culture, with a meaning connected to the powerful symbol of the bear.

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 Dov was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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