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Dane Boy

Popularity: #655 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationDane / /deɪn/

English; Scandinavian

Meaning

English: from Denmark; Scandinavian: a Dane

Historical & Cultural Background

The name "Dane" has its roots in the Old English word "Dena," which refers to the Danes, a North Germanic people from Denmark. This term is derived from the Proto-Germanic *Dainaz, which is believed to signify "the people of Denmark." The name entered the English language during the early medieval period, particularly after the Viking Age, when Danish settlers and raiders had a significant impact on England, especially in the 9th and 10th centuries. The assimilation of the Danes into English culture led to the adoption of their name as a given name, reflecting a historical connection to the Viking heritage.

Historically, the name Dane has been associated with various notable figures and events. In the context of English history, the Danes played a crucial role during the Danelaw period, which was established in the late 9th century when the Danes controlled parts of England. This era saw the blending of cultures and languages, which contributed to the evolution of the English language itself. The name Dane, therefore, carries with it a legacy of this significant cultural exchange and the historical presence of the Danish people in England.

Culturally, the name Dane has been imbued with connotations of strength and bravery, reflecting the warrior spirit of the Viking Age. It has also been associated with the idea of exploration and adventure, traits often attributed to the seafaring Danes. The name has appeared in various literary works and historical texts, further embedding it within the cultural consciousness. While diminutive forms such as "Danny" may exist, the name Dane itself stands as a testament to a rich historical narrative that connects the past with the present.

Trend Summary

The name Dane has seen a moderate level of popularity in the United States, particularly in the late 20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Dain

International Variants

  • Dano (Italian)
  • Dane (Danish)

Famous people named Dane

Dane Cook is a comedian and actor best known for Good Luck Chuck, Employee of the Month, and his stand-up specials.

Dane DeHaan is an actor best known for Chronicle, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and A Cure for Wellness.

Fictional characters named Dane

Dane is a fictional character from the novel The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger. He is a member of the Ka-Tet and plays a crucial role in the quest for the Dark Tower.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Dane was first seen in the United States in 1898. Dane has ranked as high as #446 nationally, which occurred in 1986, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Michigan. In the past 5 years the name Dane has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Dane (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 42
19%
TX 15
7%
UT 15
7%
FL 14
6%
PA 13
6%
GA 10
4%
IN 10
4%
OH 10
4%
WA 9
4%
WI 9
4%
IL 8
4%
MO 7
3%
NC 7
3%
OR 7
3%
AZ 7
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18985
19086
19126
19137
191411
19156
19167
19179
191817
191910
192016
192127
192217
192311
192421
192535
192622
192724
192816
192910
193020
19319
193224
193318
193426
193520
193622
193719
193815
193914
194029
194123
194216
194327
194429
194569
1946139
1947176
1948144
1949160
1950151
1951161
1952189
1953179
1954280
1955225
1956291
1957353
1958287
1959357
1960290
1961297
1962281
1963316
1964342
1965215
1966179
1967221
1968255
1969247
1970235
1971205
1972206
1973207
1974174
1975160
1976157
1977167
1978259
1979337
1980321
1981334
1982398
1983831
1984638
19851,003
19861,069
1987757
1988760
1989682
1990739
1991580
1992552
1993516
1994521
1995517
1996517
1997505
1998455
1999545
2000583
2001549
2002534
2003574
2004537
2005560
2006762
2007949
2008918
2009818
2010684
2011574
2012573
2013482
2014423
2015424
2016355
2017313
2018315
2019253
2020273
2021284
2022277
2023257
2024273