UK boy's name
Daoud
A masculine Arabic name meaning "beloved" or "friend".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Daoud is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Daoud popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2088, with 11 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 12 births.
This profile covers 131 England and Wales registrations across 23 recorded years from 1998 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 92% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 130 living people in the UK are called Daoud. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Daoud ranked #2088 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 11 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2016, when 12 boys were registered as Daoud.
- • About 130 living people in the UK are estimated to have Daoud as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2088
2024
Births in 2024
11
Latest year
Peak year
2016
12 births
Estimated living
130
2026
Meaning
What does Daoud mean?
The name Daoud has its origins in the Arabic language, tracing back to ancient Semitic roots. It is derived from the root word "dawada," which means "to move around" or "to wander." The name is often associated with the biblical figure David, known for his iconic leadership as the king of Israel.
In the Islamic tradition, Daoud is revered as a prophet and is mentioned numerous times in the Quran. The name appears in Surah An-Naml (The Ants) and Surah Saba (Sheba), where it is associated with wisdom, leadership, and divine blessings. The Quran also highlights Daoud's skills in crafting armor and his ability to understand the language of animals.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Daoud can be found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of ancient Jewish religious manuscripts dating back to the third century BCE. These scrolls contain references to individuals bearing the name, suggesting its widespread use in the region during that time period.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Daoud. One of the most prominent was Daoud Pasha (1599-1636), an Ottoman Grand Vizier who served under Sultan Murad IV. He is renowned for his military campaigns against Persia and his efforts to strengthen the Ottoman Empire's defenses.
Another prominent figure was Daoud Khan (1665-1717), a Pashtun ruler who established the Hotaki dynasty in Persia. He is remembered for his successful campaigns against the Safavid dynasty and his brief reign as the Shah of Persia from 1722 to 1725.
In the modern era, Daoud Ammoun (1888-1957) was a Lebanese philosopher and writer who played a significant role in the Arab Renaissance movement. He advocated for the regeneration of Arab culture and literature and is considered one of the most influential Arab thinkers of the 20th century.
Daoud Badrawi (1910-1999) was an Egyptian musician and composer who made significant contributions to the development of Arabic music. He composed numerous works for film, television, and theater, and his compositions are celebrated for their blending of traditional Egyptian and Western styles.
Daoud Osman Shukri (1917-1986) was a prominent Sudanese politician and the first Prime Minister of Sudan after the country gained independence in 1956. He played a crucial role in the transitional period and worked towards establishing a stable democratic government in Sudan.
The name Daoud has a rich history spanning centuries and cultures, with a strong connection to religious and historical figures. Its enduring presence and prevalence across different regions and time periods reflect its cultural significance and the respect it commands.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Daoud over time
The chart below shows babies named Daoud registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Daoud, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 11 births in 2024, compared with 12 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Daoud by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Daoud was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3228 | 33 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3066 | 52 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3122 | 38 | 9 |
| 1990s | #1485 | 8 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Daoud
- Daniel 120,900
- Dylan 60,836
- David 37,852
- Dominic 20,480
- Declan 11,657
- Dexter 11,627
- Danny 8,434
- Dean 5,329
- Dillon 4,113
- Douglas 3,773
- Dominik 3,494
- Damian 3,486
FAQ
Daoud: questions and answers
How popular is the name Daoud in the UK right now?
In 2024, Daoud was ranked #2088 for boys in England and Wales, with 11 births registered.
When was Daoud most popular?
The peak year on record was 2016, with 12 babies registered as Daoud in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Daoud?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "beloved" or "friend".
How many people are called Daoud in the UK?
A total of 131 babies have been registered as Daoud across the 23 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.