Dove Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Dove originates from Old English, meaning peace and gentleness. It has evolved through various historical forms, retaining its connection to the gentle bird. The name is biblically relevant, often symbolizing peace, and has gained popularity since the Middle Ages. Today, it is viewed as a unique name with positive connotations.
The name Dove is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Dove has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Dove' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6320th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6773rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7552nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 20190th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2999th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6604th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 6550th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6413th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 10927th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 13231st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3296th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Dove' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Dove"
Pronunciation
/dʌv/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name 'Dove' derives from the Old English word 'dūfe', which is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, all referring to the bird known for its gentle and peaceful nature.
Meaning
peace, gentleness
Language Evolution
Old English: dūfe, Middle English: dove, Modern English: dove
Biblical Background
The dove is often associated with peace and the Holy Spirit in biblical texts, such as in the story of Noah's Ark.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages, reflecting the symbolic meanings of the bird.
Variants & Derivatives
Dovey, Dova
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Dove is perceived as unique and has connotations of love, peace, and beauty, often used in contemporary naming.
Famous People
Dove Cameron - actress and singer, Dove Men+Care - popular brand name
Explore More Dove Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Dove"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Dove"
"Dove" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6320th of 7545 | 12 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6773rd of 6773 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7552nd of 7552 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 20190th of 23106 | 10 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2999th of 9107 | 164 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 6604th of 9204 | 22 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6550th of 12526 | 60 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6413th of 19264 | 114 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 10927th of 27321 | 81 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 13231st of 35406 | 99 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3296th of 30306 | 584 |
Regional Popularity of "Dove" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Dove" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - |
100.00% 4044th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
81.98% 3266th/3984 |
74.06% 3323rd/4487 |
49.50% 3377th/6822 |
48.33% 3033rd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Dove"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Dove" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.