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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Why the hate for David?

101 replies

Dumbledormer · 01/10/2022 14:51

Love the name David. Think baby Dave is gorgeous but my husband is totally against it.

We already have a Jonathan and I love that it’s traditional but not particularly popular and I’m looking for something similar. Any ideas?

OP posts:
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Daisybuttercup12345 · 04/10/2022 00:59

Michael
Daniel
Matthew
William
But I would have David.

AuntTwacky · 04/10/2022 01:34

Love David!

RueValens · 04/10/2022 01:47

I'm another one who feels it is like Gary. Not that they are similar names, but in that I just can't picture it on children. With David I think it's because I automatically think of Dave and Dave is very much having a few pints with his mates and going to get a kebab

Pemba · 05/10/2022 14:25

Is there a Gary in the Bible? An ancient King Gary? Does the US President have important meetings at Camp Gary? Was there a Saint Gary? Etc
David was popular and overused in the 1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s. But I do think it will return, not sure if Gary ever will.

Etinoxaurus · 05/10/2022 14:32

It does fit a certain demographic 😁
But it's a good name and coupled with the bible story, you have a strong case!

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 05/10/2022 17:03

Calling David a Gary-ish name is a terrible slander. Davids of the world are affronted.

CTR1000 · 05/10/2022 17:12

I love David as a name.

My friend has just called her little boy David - it absolutely suits him and there won’t be many around when he’s in nursery/school!

soulinablackberrypie · 06/10/2022 21:43

I hated David when I was very young indeed because of one horrible (and smelly) bully. Since then I've always thought of it as a rather neutral name, probably because it was extremely popular for boys of my age so I always knew several, more of them nice than nasty. So for a while it seemed a bit boring, but it's rare enough now that I think it would be quite refreshing to hear of a baby David (like the baby Michael I met a couple of years ago).

I can't really see Dave on a baby, I'd call him David until he was about secondary school age!

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 08/10/2022 22:13

David is liked by many people surely? Its stayed in the top 100 for over 100 years. I suspect it's "Dave" that more people dislike - or at least think a bit odd on a child as like "Steve", "Andy", "Tony" etc, the far majority you meet are middle aged or thereabouts.

Also don't think Jonathan and Edward is a problem though - Jedward (John and Edward) aren't that famous that most people will make the connection imo. Alexander is lovely too. Maybe Robert? That's classic but underused like Jonathan now. Michael or Daniel would also work well I think.

Overthinkingmom · 10/04/2023 02:47

I see these messages from 2022, but I really wonder what did you name your baby!
I have a Benjamin and a Jonathan and I really like David too..

worryingalot · 10/04/2023 02:52

I love it

Daisybuttercup12345 · 10/04/2023 23:49

Love David.
Daniel
Michael
Clive
Matthew
Thomas

drpet49 · 10/04/2023 23:51

MbatataOwl · 01/10/2022 14:59

It's just a bland name. Everyone knows a David/ Dave.

This. I absolutely detest the name Dave. Urgh

Briallen · 10/04/2023 23:52

My daughter is in a class with a 6 year old David. He doesn’t go by Dave just David. I suppose you could use Davy instead of Dave to make it less middle aged maybe? I know a lot of kids with middle name David. My friend has a baby named Mike. Not Michael just Mike which at first I couldn’t imagine working on a baby but I’ve got used to it now!

CallieQ · 11/04/2023 01:16

I love David!

Phoebo · 11/04/2023 01:19

David is a lovely name if you're over 40

whatapalavaaa · 11/04/2023 03:49

How about Michael?

StartupRepair · 11/04/2023 03:57

My DS (24) is David. We chose it as a family name, a classic but not popular. There were only ever 1 or 2 in his whole school. He gets called Dave in the family in a jokey kind of way. With his peers and at work he is David. We have no regrets.

FishWithoutAName · 11/04/2023 04:32

You won't be able to stop people calling him Dave. If you can cope with that, go for it.

But I was also told 'Dave' is the new male version of a ' Karen' - not that I take any notice of these strange trends but other people do and so you might want to consider it.

Lovely link with the bible story though.

nodtik · 11/04/2023 07:16

We have a David - he's now in his third year at university.

I do not regret calling him that. I still LOVE it, he's both David and Dave, both work.

There are few David's his age, which was great growing up at school, only ever one in his year; countless Jacks, Olivers, Toms and Henrys - so pleased we went with an alternative classic name.

Fandabedodgy · 11/04/2023 07:17

Nothin wrong with David

user1492757084 · 11/04/2023 08:12

Jonathon and ..
Mark
Simon
Richard
Daniel
Laurence
Benjamin
David - my fave.

junglemaze · 11/04/2023 12:59

Jonathan and Luke
Jonathan and Andrew

MixedFeeling · 11/04/2023 13:08

I love the name David and it's still very popular for babies in the Jewish community. I probably wouldn't go for it if you already have a Jonathan though as I'd assume it was a theme.

ladygindiva · 11/04/2023 16:37

My brother is a David, not a family name but my mum says she always loved it and wanted to call her first son David. It's nice.

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