Dove

♂ Boy

Pronounced DUV /ˈdʌv/Medium

Meaning: Dove is the English word for the bird, a long-standing symbol of peace, love and the Holy Spirit. As a given name it is a gentle nature/word-name, more often a girl's (as with actress Dove Cameron); it is a word first, which we note.Medium

In 30 seconds: A soft single beat: Dove is the bird and peace symbol (said 'DUV'). A nature word-name, more often a girl's — noted.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningDove is the English word for the bird, a long-standing symbol of peace, love and the Holy Spirit. As a given name it is a gentle nature/word-name, more often a girl's (as with actress Dove Cameron); it is a word first, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#12761 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1919

Total births (all-time)≈ 32

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

Dove is the English word for the bird, a long-standing symbol of peace, love and the Holy Spirit. As a given name it is a soft nature/word-name that leans strongly girl (as with Dove Cameron); it is a word first, which we note (said 'DUV').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, word-name, and gentle.

Did you know? Dove names the gentle bird — a symbol of peace, love and the Spirit — and is familiar as a girl's name via actress Dove Cameron. As a word-name it leans girl; the route we note (said 'DUV').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Dove — word 'dove' (peace bird); cross-sex, leans girl; noted

Variations

DovDovaDoves

Nicknames

DovDovey

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Dove…

Dov— a Hebrew name that sounds akin

Wren— a like bird word-name

Finch— a like bird word-name

Cove— another nature pick

Clive— shares the -ve ending

Explore names like Dove

By themeword-name nature cross-sex gentle

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Dove mean?

Dove is the English word for the bird, a symbol of peace. As a given name it's a nature word-name, more often a girl's — a word first, which we note.

How do you pronounce Dove?

It's said DUV /ˈdʌv/ — one syllable, the whole word stressed.

Is Dove a boy or girl name?

Dove is used here as a boy's name; note it more often leans girl and is a word-name.

How popular is Dove?

Dove is a rare name for boys in the U.S.