Dave

Dave is an English short form of David, traditionally connected with a Hebrew word for beloved. David's place in the Bible, especially as the king associated with Jerusalem and the psalm tradition, gives the longer name a history shared across many languages. Dave keeps that connection in a brief everyday form.

Unlike a spelling change intended to create a new name, Dave arose through the familiar practice of shortening a name in speech. It can still be used informally for a David, but it has also been given independently. If a relative was always known as Dave, using the short form can honor the name actually heard at home. The relationship to David remains useful when explaining the meaning.