Davis
/ˈdeɪ.vɪs/
Davis is an English and Welsh patronymic surname meaning “son of David,” with David from the Hebrew Dawid, possibly meaning “beloved.” The surname transferred to first-name use in the 19th century.
Jefferson Davis (1808-1889), president of the Confederate States, was one of the most prominent historical bearers of the surname. Miles Davis (1926-1991) gave it jazz immortality.
Davis shows its earliest SSA data at No. 338 in 1901 with just 29 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 645 with 429 births—a raw count many times its Victorian figure.
What the name Davis means
The name fits the modern surname-as-first-name trend alongside Harrison, Hayes, and Hayes. Its jazz association with Miles Davis gives it creative cachet.
Two syllables—DAY-vis—sound crisp and slightly preppy. The long first vowel and the -vis close give it a clean, confident profile.
Parents choosing Davis often appreciate its combination of Southern heritage, jazz legacy, and the simple patronymic structure that anchors it historically.
Related forms include Dave and David (given names) and Davidson (patronymic). Davis sits between the formal David and the modern Davidson in the naming spectrum.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Davis
Davis - similar names
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