David in Chinese
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: beloved
The standard Chinese transliteration of David, pronounced Dà Wèi. The characters are chosen for sound: 大 (dà, "big, great"), 卫 (wèi, "to guard, defend"). Native speakers will immediately recognize it as the name David.
Character Breakdown
Note: Reads as the name "David" to native speakers; the characters are chosen for sound, so don't expect a poetic meaning. Traditional form 大衛 differs from simplified 大卫; pick one script and keep it consistent. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
A Chinese-style given name inspired by the meaning of David ("beloved"), expressing love, joy and blessings: 嘉 (jiā, "excellent, praiseworthy") + 乐 (lè, "joy, happiness; music").
Character Breakdown
Note: A meaning-based Chinese given name; it will not sound like your English name, so pair it with an explanation if that matters to you. Traditional form 嘉樂 differs from simplified 嘉乐; pick one script and keep it consistent. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Opens with 达 (dá, "to reach, attain"), which echoes the first sound of David (Dà), and adds 赐 (cì, "to bestow; gift") for love, joy and blessings. It reads like a natural Chinese given name with a nod to your English one.
Character Breakdown
Note: Looks and sounds like a genuine Chinese given name while still echoing your name; a popular choice for tattoos. Traditional form 達賜 differs from simplified 达赐; pick one script and keep it consistent. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write David in Chinese?
The most common way is 大卫 (traditional: 大衛), pronounced Dà Wèi. This is the standard phonetic transliteration you would see in Chinese media and translations.
What does 大卫 mean?
大卫 is a sound-based transliteration, so as a whole it simply means "David". Individually: 大 (dà) = big, great; 卫 (wèi) = to guard, defend. If you want real meaning, try 嘉乐 (Jiā Lè), inspired by the meaning of David: "beloved".
Which Chinese name for David is best for a tattoo?
Choose 大卫 if you want people to recognize your name, 嘉乐 if you prefer meaning over sound, or 达赐 for a natural-sounding Chinese name that still echoes David. Whatever you pick, use a calligraphy font and ask a native speaker to check the final design.