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Dov
♂ Boy
Pronounced DOHV /doʊv/Low
Meaning: Bear, the bearLow
In 30 seconds: Dov is a Hebrew name meaning bear. Used in Jewish communities, particularly Ashkenazi, it carries the strength and wildness of the bear — a powerful symbol in many cultures. Short, clean, and authentically Hebrew.
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Origin LowHebrew
MeaningBear, the bear
U.S. rank (2025)#1453 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births123 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,617
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Dov is a Hebrew name meaning bear. It has been used in Jewish communities, particularly Ashkenazi, as a standalone name or combined as Dov Ber (bear in both Hebrew and Yiddish).
Dov is used in Israel and in observant Jewish communities worldwide.
Did you know? The bear in Jewish and general Semitic tradition symbolizes power, strength, and protection. Dov as a name gives a son all the bear's fierce qualities in a single crisp syllable.
Overall data confidence 90%
Variations
DovidDobDubi
Nicknames
Dubi
Famous Bearers
- ★Dov Charney (1969–present)Canadian entrepreneur, founder of the clothing companies American Apparel and Los Angeles Apparel
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Frequently Asked
What does Dov mean?
Bear, the bear
How do you pronounce Dov?
Dov is pronounced DOHV.
What is the origin of Dov?
Dov comes from Hebrew.
What names are similar to Dov?
Similar names include ari, elan, lev.