Chinese name for David
David is usually written 大卫 (Dà wèi) in Chinese. That is a phonetic transliteration: it copies the sound, so Chinese speakers read it as a foreign name. If you want a name that feels native, here are authentic Chinese given names inspired by David.
David in Chinese, by sound
大卫
Dà wèi
Fine for writing your English name on a Chinese form. It is not a Chinese given name, and the characters were picked for sound, not meaning.
Authentic Chinese names inspired by David
Real given-name characters from our curated library. A full Chinese name puts a one-character surname first, for example 林 (Lín) + 宝瑞.
Bao means treasure and Rui is a happy sign, reflecting the beloved and precious meaning of David.
About the name David
David comes from the Hebrew name Dawid, meaning beloved.
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Find my Chinese nameFrequently asked questions
What is David in Chinese?
The usual phonetic version of David is 大卫 (Dà wèi). It copies the sound, so Chinese speakers read it as a foreign name. Authentic Chinese given names inspired by David include 宝瑞 (bǎo ruì), 宥安 (yòu ān).
How do you write David in Chinese characters?
Phonetically, David is written 大卫. A native-feeling Chinese name is different: a surname followed by one or two given characters chosen for meaning, such as 宝瑞.
What is a good Chinese name for someone called David?
Pick characters that real Chinese people are named with and that carry a meaning you like. 宝瑞 (bǎo ruì): Bao means treasure and Rui is a happy sign, reflecting the beloved and precious meaning of David. 宥安 (yòu ān): You means forgiving and generous, and An is peace, capturing the warm and beloved heart of David.
Why sound-based names fall flat: Chinese name vs. transliteration.