Davi

Gender: Mostly Boy

Meaning: Beloved; dear one

Origin: Hebrew — from David (דָּוִד), from dod (beloved, uncle, dear one)

Popularity: Ranked #1493 in 2025 with 118 babies born.

History: Davi emerged in American naming culture as a distinct spelling choice in 1952, but remained largely under the radar for decades. The name experienced remarkable growth beginning in the early 2020s, coinciding with Brazil's expanding cultural footprint in the United States through music, professional soccer, and growing Brazilian-American communities. As a Brazilian Portuguese variant of the Hebrew name David, Davi carries the timeless meaning of beloved or dear one, grounded in ancient tradition while feeling contemporary and international. The surge reflects broader American naming trends toward global influences and multicultural identity expression. By 2023, Davi reached its peak with 140 births and achieved its best ranking of #1351 nationally, representing genuine mainstream recognition. The name's total recorded use spans 2,690 births since 1952, with boys comprising the vast majority at 2,056 compared to 634 girls, reflecting its strong masculine association. While the name has slightly declined from its 2023 peak to 118 births in 2025 (ranking #1492), it remains firmly established in American naming consciousness. For families seeking a name that honors David's heritage while embracing Portuguese-Brazilian culture, Davi offers authenticity without the ubiquity of its English counterpart.

Nicknames: Dav, D, Davi-boy, Davey

Personality vibes: Confident, Warm, Global, Spirited, Approachable

Sibling name pairings: Lucas, Mateo, Sofia, Liam, Noah, Iago, Isabella

Middle name ideas: Davi James, Davi Alexander, Davi Miguel, Davi Santos, Davi Lucas, Davi Emanuel, Davi Rafael

Famous people named Davi:

• Davi Lucca (son of Neymar) — Son of Brazilian soccer star Neymar, raised partly in the U.S.
• Davi França — Brazilian actor and model with growing presence in Latin American media.

Davi in America Today

Davi represents a modern American naming choice that bridges continents and traditions. The name carries strong associations with Brazilian culture and Portuguese heritage, appealing to families seeking something familiar yet distinctive. In contemporary America, Davi signals cultural awareness and international family roots without feeling exotic or difficult to pronounce for English speakers. The name works equally well across diverse communities, from Brazilian-American households to families drawn to global naming sensibilities. Current usage trends show Davi primarily chosen for boys, though the 634 girls given the name since 1952 demonstrate it's not exclusively masculine. Parents selecting Davi today often appreciate its connection to David's timeless legacy while embracing a contemporary, less common spelling. The name sits comfortably in the realm of established-but-uncommon, avoiding both extremes of ultra-traditional and invented-sounding names.

Naming Trends

Davi's trajectory in American naming offers a fascinating case study of cultural influence. First appearing in records in 1952, the name remained relatively dormant for seven decades before surging dramatically in the early 2020s. This explosion correlates directly with Brazil's increased visibility in American popular culture, particularly through professional soccer, music, and social media. The year 2023 marked Davi's absolute peak with 140 births and its highest ranking of #1351, signifying mainstream awareness among American parents. The total of 2,690 recorded births demonstrates substantial cumulative acceptance, with male usage outnumbering female by roughly 3.2 to 1. However, 2025 data shows slight decline from peak levels, with 118 births and a rank of #1492, suggesting the name may be stabilizing into a consistent middle-tier choice rather than continuing exponential growth. This pattern mirrors typical adoption curves for international names entering American consciousness.

Cultural Notes

Davi's presence in American culture remains primarily connected to Brazilian influence rather than English-language entertainment or tradition. The name appears most prominently through professional soccer, where Brazilian players have elevated its visibility among sports-engaged families. Neymar's son Davi Lucca represents a high-profile example, though the child was born in Brazil and Brazil-based rather than American-raised. In American entertainment, Davi remains uncommon, appearing occasionally in casting and smaller roles but not among major Hollywood figures. The name benefits from being pronounceable and recognizable to English speakers while maintaining its distinct Portuguese identity. Within Brazilian-American communities and immigrant families, Davi serves as a meaningful cultural marker, honoring Portuguese heritage while integrating into American society. The spelling choice distinguishes it from David while remaining accessible, making it appealing to multicultural families seeking names that acknowledge multiple identities without requiring explanation.

Similar names: davia, david, davida, davin, davina, davinah, davis, davit

Name length: 4 letters

How common is Davi? About 1 in 25,408 babies born in 2025 were named Davi, or roughly 0.4 per day in the United States.

Explore more baby names at BabyNa.me — 29,000+ names with meanings, origins, and popularity trends.