Name Meaning & Legal Status · Portugal
David Name: Meaning, Origin & Portugal Legal Status
Showing legal status, local spelling and registration process for Portugal specifically. Each of the 7 country pages for David contains different data — see the comparison table below.
🇵🇹 David — Check Required in Portugal
David may require additional verification in Portugal. Should appear on the Vocabulário Onomástico (official list). Foreign-origin names may need proof of use or adaptation (e.g. Mateus instead of Mateo).
How David compares across 7 European countries
Each row is a different country page for David. Your current page (🇵🇹 Portugal) 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 Portuguese: dah-VEED. Pronunciation varies slightly by region, but this is the form most commonly heard in Portugal.
Is David approved in Portugal? David may require additional verification in Portugal. Read on for the full origin, Portuguese spelling variants, popularity ranking, and the registration process at the IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado).
Origin
Hebrew
Meaning
Beloved
Popularity in Portugal
#8
Portuguese spelling
David
Authority
IRN
Deadline
20 days after birth
Is David approved in Portugal?
David may require additional verification in Portugal. Should appear on the Vocabulário Onomástico (official list). Foreign-origin names may need proof of use or adaptation (e.g. Mateus instead of Mateo).
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 Portugal, 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 Portugal
Popular choice: typically ranks around #8 in the Portugal top 30.
Our database covers approximately 3,500 names recorded in Portugal. 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.
Portuguese spelling and variants of David
In Portugal, 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 Portugal
Portugal regulates baby names through the IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado) under the Vocabulário Onomástico (official positive list). Portugal operates one of the stricter naming systems in Europe — officials check proposed names against an approved list or a statutory set of rules, and unusual names may need formal review before registration.
For the name David specifically: Should appear on the Vocabulário Onomástico (official list). Foreign-origin names may need proof of use or adaptation (e.g. Mateus instead of Mateo).
Deadline
20 days after birth
Processing
1-15 days
Fee
Free (€10 if outside list)
Appeal to
Conservador dos Registos Centrais
How to verify before registering
- Use our free checker — verify David against our database of names actually registered in Portugal.
- Call your local IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado) — 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 Portugal for the full legal background.
Similar boy names approved in Portugal
If David is not exactly what you are looking for, these boy names share a similar European tradition and are commonly accepted in Portugal:
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).
Can I legally register David in Portugal?
Likely yes, but it may require verification. Should appear on the Vocabulário Onomástico (official list). Foreign-origin names may need proof of use or adaptation (e.g. Mateus instead of Mateo). We recommend checking with the IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado) before the registration deadline of 20 days after birth.
Do I need to change the spelling of David in Portugal?
No adaptation is required — David works with its standard international spelling in Portugal and is recognised as written.
How long does it take to register David in Portugal?
Standard registration at the IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado) is normally processed in 1-15 days. Parents must register the birth within 20 days after birth. The standard fee is Free (€10 if outside list).
What can I do if the registrar rejects David?
You can appeal the decision before the Conservador dos Registos Centrais. In practice, parents often submit historical evidence (saints, literary figures, prior registrations) or agree on a slight adaptation that preserves the name's sound.
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 France →
✅ Approved
See David in Germany →
✅ Approved
See David in Italy →
✅ Approved
See David in Iceland →
✅ Approved
See David in Sweden →
Related resources
All approved names in Portugal
Browse the full 3,500-name database
Top 30 names in Portugal
See current popularity rankings
Baby Name Laws in Portugal
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 IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado).