David

Part of speech: noun, proper noun

Definitions

1. A male first name sometimes referring to the ancient ruler of Israel and also to a renowned statue carved by Michelangelo
2. A masculine personal name also identifying a famous Old Testament king and a notable work of Renaissance art by Michelangelo
3. A common male forename ; an ancient monarch who ruled Israel and established its royal lineage ; a masterpiece sculpture created during the Renaissance period representing the same biblical figure

Etymology: The name David comes from Hebrew "Dawid," which is traditionally linked to the Hebrew word for "beloved." Its best-known bearer is the second king of ancient Israel, whose story appears in the Hebrew Bible, where he is remembered as a shepherd boy who defeated the giant Goliath and later as a warrior-king who united the tribes of Israel. Through the Bible and the Latin "David," the name spread across medieval Europe, and it came into English through the Christian tradition of biblical names. Some of its most familiar forms arose from regional and linguistic variation rather than separate names. In Wales, "Dafydd" became the national form, and the older spelling "Davyd" and its variant "Davyde" appear in the history of English as well. Many languages built their own versions, which is why the name shows up in such different shapes across the Celtic and Germanic worlds.

Synonyms: king david, hero, warrior, leader