A 1950s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Davy since 1917
Babies named Davy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 | 40 |
| 1930s | 0 | 148 |
| 1940s | 0 | 163 |
| 1950s | 0 | 586 |
| 1960s | 0 | 410 |
| 1970s | 0 | 458 |
| 1980s | 40 | 257 |
| 1990s | 37 | 162 |
| 2000s | 16 | 135 |
| 2010s | 97 | 149 |
| 2020s | 136 | 169 |
Meaning & origin
Davy is a familiar diminutive of David, a classic name with Hebrew origins. While primarily a boy's name historically, it has seen unisex use. Its narrative in the U.S. dates back to 1917, with a peak in 1955 when it reached rank 5045. After declining, it has been rising again since 2003, reflecting a revival of vintage nicknames. Currently, 1 in 89,899 babies receive the name, showing a steady return to favor. The most common state for this name is Texas, indicating regional popularity. Its resurgence aligns with a broader trend of reviving mid-century short forms.
Davy is a diminutive of David, which comes from the Hebrew name דָּוִד (Dawid), likely derived from the root dod meaning 'beloved'. David was a common name in medieval England, and diminutives like Davy developed as familiar forms. The name has been used independently since at least the 19th century, and it appears in nursery rhymes and folklore, such as Davy Jones' Locker.
Where Davy is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Davy” around the world
Where Davy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Sibling names for Davy
Names that share Davy's style, for a brother or sister.
