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Original poster

Which name do you think is better: David or Michael?

32 replies

ForDearJadeCat · 10/10/2026 00:03

Which name do you think is better for a child: David or Michael? I can't decide.

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NamingNoNames · 11/10/2026 10:46

I think Michael is a bit more modern Michael is the first of the two to appear in the Old Testament.Smile

embolass · 11/10/2026 02:23

David ! Love it

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 11/10/2026 01:57

Il have chosen David but love both.

Flomingho · 11/10/2026 01:13

Like both names, but I think Michael is a bit more modern and there are lots or variations and nicknames the child could choose if not happy with the full name. Mike, Mike, Mickey, Miki etc

Shloopie · 11/10/2026 01:03

lottiegarbanzo · 10/10/2026 08:18

David

Mickey is not good.

Dave is more likely to happen for a David than Mickey is to happen for a Michael. And Dave is...not great.

NamingNoNames · 10/10/2026 12:04

When's your son due @ForDearJadeCat , and what are your thoughts on the names?
What sort of surname do you have?

You've started a few threads recently, and they are all nice enough names.

PumpkinSpicePie · 10/10/2026 12:02

I like Michael best. I don't like the shortened versions of either.

NormasArse · 10/10/2026 11:58

Are you naming after a relative, or just like names from that era?

NamingNoNames · 10/10/2026 11:51

David (pron. Daveed) is very popular where I live. I like Davey but not Dave.
Mike is ok, but not keen on Mick.

BoleynMemories13 · 10/10/2026 08:23

I prefer Michael, of the two. Probably because I know lots of young Davids still so Michael feels 'fresher'. Maybe it depends where you are. David is very popular among both Eastern European and African communities, so if you live in a multicultural area you might find there are still lots of little ones around. It's a actually one of the most popular boy names at our primary school.

lottiegarbanzo · 10/10/2026 08:20

Though Michael is an archangel. David is not. Think carefully before naming a sibling Gabriel.

lottiegarbanzo · 10/10/2026 08:18

David

Mickey is not good.

LlamasDramas · 10/10/2026 08:14

I really don't like the shortened name 'Dave' for David which will more than likely happen.

Much prefer Michael and Mike. I know some really nice Mikes who are decent people but have known some horrible Daves! One person told me that she had never known a nice Dave (her ex was called Dave which may have swung her opinion!).

Firebird83 · 10/10/2026 08:05

Michael, but both are good names.

Thepossibility · 10/10/2026 07:04

I'll say not David because the inevitable nn Dave.
Mike is a better nn.

EntirelyUnnecessary · 10/10/2026 07:03

I picked Michael in the poll but they are both excellent classics

MargotLovesTom · 10/10/2026 07:02

Prefer David, but it would be hard not to call him Baby David cf The Royle Family 😉. Agree with pp that James feels like a more timeless classic name. David & Michael (Michael especially) definitely feel a bit middle aged.

Missey85 · 10/10/2026 06:54

Michael

HylianShroom · 10/10/2026 06:53

David Brent or Michael Scott

FancyKitten · 10/10/2026 06:51

I think I like Michael best.

Alisonsy · 10/10/2026 06:47

I don’t like either.

Dave and Mike are just too common in the middle age bracket. I know loads!

iloveanearlynight · 10/10/2026 06:23

Don't like either. James is a far better classic name. The frequent misspelling of Michael would infuriate me too.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 10/10/2026 06:12

Both are routinely abbreviated. I particularly dislike Mick (I quite like Mike or Mikey), so would probably go for David as I like Dave/Davey.

And, as a word of warning, you have less say on shortening than you might expect. As I found out with two of my children - both of whom ended up with the shortening I didn’t want. That said, I think their shortened names suit them.

Summerlovingtheraspberries · 10/10/2026 05:53

I prefer Michael but both are classic names.

thornbury · 10/10/2026 03:18

Those names belong to my father and my late husband so I like them both. I prefer them not shortened and both always introduce themselves with the full version.