Daw is a medieval diminutive of David, derived from the common practice of shortening longer names in medieval England. While perfectly recorded today as a given name, it originated as an everyday nickname and later evolved into an independent first name.The root name David traces back to the Hebrew Dawiḏ, meaning "beloved" or "uncle," and is closely associated with the biblical King David, the second king of Israel who reigned in the 10th century BCE. According to the New Testament, David is also an ancestor of Jesus. The name’s widespread popularity across Europe, particularly in Great Britain, Wales, Scotland, and the United States, generated many colloquial short forms, among them Daw.Notable bearers include:Daw Meskine, a French Imam and Secretary General of the French Council for ImamsDaw Penjo, a Bhutanese diplomatDaw Kyan (1918–2019), a Burmese historian and writerDaw Ohn (1913–2003), a Burmese activist, scholar, and professorWhile current usage is extremely rare for newborn children in English-speaking nations—ceding preference to David or its more common variants like Dave—the medieval diminutive Daw retains historical charm in recorded English textual history. In the same category as other pre-1800 abbreviations, it is rarely but periodically resurrected in genealogical or nostalgic naming contexts.Key Facts:Meaning: "Beloved" (via David)Origin: Medieval English diminutive of David (Hebrew)Type: Familiar short form evolving to given nameUsage Regions: Medieval England, with historic bearers in Myanmar and Bhutan