Daniel
Daniel Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
DAN-yel
Meaning of Daniel: Daniel derives from Hebrew Daniyel, a compound of dan (to judge) and El (God), meaning God is my judge.
The Book of Daniel presents the prophet interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams, surviving the lions’ den, and delivering apocalyptic prophecies about successive world empires from Babylon onward—among the most dramatic narratives in Hebrew scripture.
Daniel spread through Jewish, Christian, and Islamic tradition as a name of prophetic authority. In Islam, the figure is referenced as a wise man in early Islamic texts, though not listed among the Quranic prophets.
What Does Daniel Mean? Origin & Etymology
The name entered English usage by the 12th century and ranked among Puritan favorites during the 17th-century biblical name revival, resonating with Protestant theology.
Daniel became one of the most consistent performers in US name history. It entered the US top 10 in 1952 and remained there through 2013, a 62-year run matched by few names in SSA records.
Notable American bearers include frontiersman Daniel Boone, statesman Daniel Webster, and Daniel Craig, the 6th actor to portray James Bond.
According to SSA records, Daniel peaked at rank 5 in 1985 with over 37,000 registered boys. The 2024 ranking of 16, with 8,391 births, per SSA figures, reflects a gradual retreat from peak levels while remaining well above median popularity thresholds.
Notably, no other name has held the US top 10 for 62 consecutive years in SSA records.
Daniel ranks consistently in the top 20 in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and across Latin America. In Ireland and Spain it falls within the top 15. Common nicknames include Dan, Danny, and Dani.
The feminine form Daniela is widely used in Spanish and Italian communities. This geographic breadth makes Daniel one of the most stable male names across English, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking cultures simultaneously.
How Popular Is Daniel?
Numerology & Symbolism of Daniel
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Daniel – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Daniel
What does Daniel mean?
Daniel means God is my judge, from Hebrew dan (to judge) and El (God). The biblical prophet Daniel survived the lions’ den and interpreted the dreams of Babylonian kings.
What is the origin of Daniel?
Daniel originates from biblical Hebrew Daniyel. Early Christian and Jewish communities spread it across Europe. It ranked in the US top 10 every year from 1952 to 2013.
How popular is Daniel in the US?
Daniel ranks 16 for boys in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It ranked in the US top 10 from 1952 to 2013. Daniel remains in the top 20 in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Latin America.
What are variants of Daniel?
Is Daniel more popular for girls or boys?
Daniel is given predominantly to boys. It ranks 16 for boys in the US in 2024. The feminine form Daniela ranks in the girls’ top 150 in the US.
Daniel – Name Variants & Spellings
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Danijel | Croatian/Slovenian |
| Dan | English short form |
| Daniyel | Hebrew |
| Donall | Irish |
| Danilo | Italian/Spanish/Portuguese/Serbian |
| Danielius | Lithuanian |
| Daniil | Russian |