Dawood

Meaning & origin

Dawood is the Arabic form of David, a name borne by the prophet and king central to Islamic tradition. In the United States, Dawood has been in use since 1994, and its popularity has been steadily rising since 1996. In 2025, it ranked 4,139 nationally, with approximately 1 in 68,323 male newborns receiving the name. Its peak year so far was 2023, and it is most common in New York, reflecting the name's strong cultural resonance within South Asian and Middle Eastern communities. As a name that carries deep religious significance, Dawood appeals to families seeking a connection to Islamic heritage while remaining distinctive in a broader American context.

Dawood is the Arabic and Urdu form of David, derived from the Hebrew name Dawid, meaning 'beloved' or 'friend'. It is the name of a major prophet in Islam (Dawood), who is considered a king and messenger of God, corresponding to the biblical David. The name has been used throughout the Muslim world for centuries, and its popularity in the United States has grown modestly since the 1990s, often among families of South Asian and Middle Eastern heritage.