Dov
Dov is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Bear”.
| Meaning | Bear |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Written as | דֹּב |
| Pronunciation | DOHV |
| Tradition | Jewish |
| Used in | Israel, United States |
Meaning and origin of Dov
Dov is the Hebrew word for bear. It became popular among Ashkenazi Jews as a Hebrew pair for the Yiddish name Ber, also meaning bear, and the two were often given together as Dov Ber. The link goes back to Jacob's blessing, where Judah is compared to a lion and Benjamin to a wolf; the bear was added in later folk custom. Dov is common in Israel today.
Is Dov a Jewish name?
Dov is a Jewish name, especially among Ashkenazi families, often chosen to honour a grandfather named Ber or Berl. It does not appear as a personal name in the Hebrew Bible.
How popular is Dov?
Well known in Israel and in Jewish communities abroad.
Gifts with the name Dov
- Dov name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Dov baby gifts (Amazon)
- Jewish baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Dov
Names similar to Dov
More Jewish boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dov mean?
Dov means 'Bear'. It is of Hebrew origin.
Is Dov a Jewish name?
Dov is a Jewish name, especially among Ashkenazi families, often chosen to honour a grandfather named Ber or Berl. It does not appear as a personal name in the Hebrew Bible.
How do you pronounce Dov?
Dov is pronounced DOHV.
Is Dov a boy or girl name?
Dov is usually a boy name.