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

[ForDearJadeCat]

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

Classic names you can’t go wrong with. I’d struggle to choose, I like both.

I like both! Consider the shortened versions. I know a Michael that grew up as Mike to family, became Mikey at school and then Mick at work. He quite likes that the different "hats" he wears come with different names. But if you don't want others influencing what he actually gets called that might not be the one for you!

Michael as I prefer the various shortenings. Both are classic though.

Depends very much on the surname

These were both very popular names in my/my parents' groups, but there are still some of each in my kids' classes. As classic biblical names, they will probably always be some of each in a school. There seem to be more younger Michaels, if that affects your choice. If there is a Welsh connection in your family, that might make you more likely to go for David, though.

David

Both are solid, classic names. I find it difficult to choose because I like both. Probably David just edges it for me.

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.

I prefer Michael but both are classic names.

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.

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

I don’t like either.

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

I think I like Michael best.

David Brent or Michael Scott

Michael

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.

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

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

Michael, but both are good names.

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!).

David

Mickey is not good.

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

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.

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

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