Name Meaning & Legal Status · France
David Name: Meaning, Origin & France Legal Status
Showing legal status, local spelling and registration process for France specifically. Each of the 7 country pages for David contains different data — see the comparison table below.
🇫🇷 David — Approved in France
David is accepted as a baby name in France. Generally accepted under naming law, without special conditions.
How David compares across 7 European countries
Each row is a different country page for David. Your current page (🇫🇷 France) is highlighted. Click any other row to switch countries.
What does the name David mean?
The name David means "Beloved". It is of Hebrew origin and is most commonly given to boys across Europe.
Pronunciation in French: dah-VEED. Pronunciation varies slightly by region, but this is the form most commonly heard in France.
Is David approved in France? David is accepted as a baby name in France. Read on for the full origin, French spelling variants, popularity ranking, and the registration process at the État civil (officier d'état civil).
Origin
Hebrew
Meaning
Beloved
Popularity in France
Outside top 30
French spelling
David
Authority
État civil
Deadline
5 days after birth
Is David approved in France?
David is accepted as a baby name in France. Generally accepted under naming law, without special conditions.
The name David: origin and meaning
David is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "Beloved". It has travelled across Europe for centuries — its earliest bearer in the Christian tradition is King David (Old Testament), Saint David of Wales (patron of Wales), and in modern times it has become widely recognised through cultural figures such as David Bowie, David Beckham (footballer), Michelangelo's David.
In France, the name connects to King David (Old Testament), Saint David of Wales (patron of Wales), which keeps it firmly embedded in the Catholic naming tradition and the local saints' calendar.
Popularity of David in France
A familiar but less frequent choice in France — not currently in the top 30, which can actually be an advantage for parents seeking a timeless name without over-exposure.
Our database covers approximately 12,000 names recorded in France. You can cross-check David against this full dataset — along with naming patterns in the 24 other European countries we track — using our free name checker.
French spelling and variants of David
In France, David is used with its standard international spelling. No adaptation or translation is required — the name is recognised and accepted as written.
Naming rules in France
France regulates baby names through the État civil (officier d'état civil) under the Article 57 Code Civil (reformed 1993). France has one of the most permissive naming frameworks in Europe — parents have wide freedom, and refusals are rare and reserved for names that could genuinely harm the child.
For the name David specifically: Generally accepted under naming law, without special conditions.
Deadline
5 days after birth
Processing
Same day
Fee
Free
Appeal to
Juge aux affaires familiales
How to verify before registering
- Use our free checker — verify David against our database of names actually registered in France.
- Call your local État civil (officier d'état civil) — Registrars can confirm whether David has been accepted locally before you book the registration appointment. This is especially helpful when using a rare spelling.
- Bring supporting evidence — If the name is unusual, prepare documents: a parent's passport showing the same name, a prior birth certificate, or a reference to a historical/religious figure. This makes a difference if the case escalates.
- Read the full legal guide — See our complete article on baby name laws in France for the full legal background.
Similar boy names approved in France
If David is not exactly what you are looking for, these boy names share a similar European tradition and are commonly accepted in France:
Frequently asked questions about David
What does the name David mean?
David means "Beloved". It is of Hebrew origin and is traditionally a boy's name. The name has been used across Europe for centuries and is associated with King David (Old Testament), Saint David of Wales (patron of Wales).
Is David legal to register as a baby name in France?
Yes. David is a well-established name in France and is accepted by the État civil (officier d'état civil) under Article 57 Code Civil (reformed 1993) without special requirements.
Do I need to change the spelling of David in France?
No adaptation is required — David works with its standard international spelling in France and is recognised as written.
How long does it take to register David in France?
Standard registration at the État civil (officier d'état civil) is normally processed in Same day. Parents must register the birth within 5 days after birth. The standard fee is Free.
Check David across all 25 European countries
See where David is accepted — useful for multicultural families or anyone planning to live abroad.
Check David →Compare David with the other 6 European countries
The data for David is different in each country — different authority, different deadline, different local spelling. Open any of the 6 sibling pages below:
✅ Approved
See David in Spain →
✅ Approved
See David in Germany →
✅ Approved
See David in Italy →
⚠️ Check
See David in Portugal →
✅ Approved
See David in Iceland →
✅ Approved
See David in Sweden →
Related resources
All approved names in France
Browse the full 12,000-name database
Top 30 names in France
See current popularity rankings
Baby Name Laws in France
Complete legal guide
How to register a baby name in Europe
Step-by-step cross-country guide
Last updated: May 2026. Information is provided for orientation only and does not constitute legal advice. Always confirm with the État civil (officier d'état civil).