Dawud
Meaningform of David · Arabic
Dawud is an Arabic boy name meaning “form of David”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Word funDawud starts and ends with the same letter, D. A neat little bookend.
- GenerationDawud peaked in 1977, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Dawud you'd meet today is about 48 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Dawuds too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Dawud would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 45,045 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryDawud first shows up in US birth records in 1970, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 55 years since.
US births per million boys, 1970–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Dawud
Dawud is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “form of David”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It hit its peak in the 1970s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic boy names
- Boy name: Caleb · dog, faithful
- Boy name: Silas · of the forest
- Boy name: Aaron · possibly exalted
- Boy name: Amir · prince, commander
- Boy name: Xavier · new house
- Boy name: Jasper · treasurer
- Boy name: Muhammad · praised
- Boy name: Omar · flourishing, long-lived
Questions about the name Dawud
What does the name Dawud mean?
Dawud means “form of David” and comes from Arabic. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Dawson (“son of David”), Davis (“son of David”), Davidson (“son of David”) and Dawood (“form of David”).
What is the origin of the name Dawud?
Dawud is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Silas (“of the forest”), Aaron (“possibly exalted”) and Amir (“prince, commander”).
Is Dawud a boy or girl name?
Dawud is a boy name. In 2025, 38 US boys were named Dawud.
How popular is the name Dawud?
Dawud ranked #3,128 for US boys in 2025, given to 38 babies. Its best year was 1977, when it reached #1,450. Over the last five years it has climbed 216 places.
What names are similar to Dawud?
If you like Dawud, you might also like Dawson, Davis, Davidson and Dawood.
What should I know before naming my baby Dawud?
Dawud is an Arabic boy name meaning “form of David”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.