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Daniel Boy

Popularity: #16 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationDAN-yuhl / /ˈdæn.jəl/

Hebrew; English; French

Meaning

Hebrew: God is my judge; English: derived from Hebrew

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Daniel has its roots in the Hebrew language, originating from the name דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniyyel), which translates to "God is my judge." This name is composed of two elements: "Dan," meaning "to judge," and "El," meaning "God." The name entered the English language through the Latin form "Danielis," which was derived from the Greek "Δανιήλ" (Daniēl). The transition into English occurred during the Middle Ages, influenced by the Norman Conquest and the subsequent integration of Latin and Hebrew texts into English literature and religious practices.

Historically, the name Daniel is most notably associated with the biblical figure Daniel, a prophet in the Old Testament. His story is primarily found in the Book of Daniel, which dates back to the 6th century BCE. Daniel is celebrated for his wisdom, ability to interpret dreams, and his unwavering faith in God, particularly during his time in Babylonian captivity. The name gained further prominence through various translations of the Bible, including the Septuagint and the Vulgate, and later the King James Bible in the early 17th century, which helped solidify its usage in Christian contexts.

Culturally, the name Daniel has been embraced across various traditions and languages, often symbolizing strength, integrity, and divine judgment. It has been borne by numerous saints, scholars, and historical figures throughout the centuries, contributing to its enduring legacy. The diminutive form "Danny" has also emerged in various cultures, reflecting a more familiar or affectionate usage of the name. Overall, Daniel's rich etymological background and historical significance have ensured its lasting presence in both religious and secular contexts.

Trend Summary

Daniel has consistently been a popular name in the United States, frequently appearing in the top 50 names for boys.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Dan
  • Danny

International Variants

  • Daniël (Dutch)
  • Daniil (Russian)
  • Daniele (Italian)
  • Dániel (Hungarian)
  • Dániel (Icelandic)

Famous people named Daniel

Daniel Radcliffe is an actor best known for the Harry Potter series, Swiss Army Man, and Now You See Me 2.

Daniel Craig is an actor best known for the James Bond series, Knives Out, and Layer Cake.

Daniel Day-Lewis is an actor best known for There Will Be Blood, Lincoln, and My Left Foot.

Daniel Kaluuya is an actor best known for Get Out, Judas and the Black Messiah, and Black Panther.

Daniel Stern is an actor best known for Home Alone, City Slickers, and The Wonder Years.

Daniel Wu is an actor and director best known for Into the Badlands, The Man with the Iron Fists, and Tomb Raider.

Daniel Levy is a television personality and actor best known for Schitt's Creek, Best in Show, and the Emmy Awards.

Fictional characters named Daniel

Daniel Jackson is a fictional character from the TV series Stargate SG-1. He is an archaeologist and linguist who serves as a key member of the SG-1 team, often providing crucial insights into ancient cultures and languages.

Daniel LaRusso is a fictional character from the film series The Karate Kid. He is a teenager who learns karate to defend himself and ultimately becomes a skilled martial artist under the guidance of Mr. Miyagi.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Daniel was first seen in the United States in 1880. Daniel has ranked as high as #9 nationally, which occurred in 1985, and has been most popular in California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Daniel has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Daniel (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 1,175
15%
TX 1,115
14%
NY 560
7%
FL 560
7%
IL 309
4%
PA 292
4%
NC 277
3%
WA 249
3%
OH 238
3%
AZ 227
3%
GA 224
3%
VA 203
3%
MA 188
2%
MI 176
2%
TN 163
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880643
1881527
1882594
1883615
1884573
1885535
1886555
1887556
1888566
1889515
1890505
1891505
1892533
1893522
1894515
1895516
1896561
1897520
1898523
1899485
1900598
1901416
1902501
1903432
1904472
1905484
1906506
1907528
1908530
1909569
1910692
1911796
19121,524
19131,878
19142,325
19153,002
19163,149
19173,360
19183,726
19193,526
19203,897
19214,087
19224,285
19234,264
19244,403
19254,548
19264,516
19274,615
19284,426
19294,366
19304,465
19314,360
19324,449
19334,310
19344,502
19354,591
19364,817
19375,123
19385,584
19395,797
19406,225
19417,049
19428,507
19439,168
19449,314
19459,708
194612,867
194715,189
194816,509
194918,240
195019,189
195121,121
195223,420
195323,499
195425,275
195526,458
195626,653
195727,339
195825,615
195925,156
196025,938
196125,898
196225,542
196324,816
196424,343
196524,834
196623,270
196722,193
196822,015
196923,165
197023,521
197121,787
197222,091
197323,673
197423,834
197523,816
197624,704
197726,074
197826,442
197928,521
198029,895
198130,989
198232,654
198334,748
198436,533
198538,564
198636,574
198735,875
198834,718
198935,009
199033,831
199130,932
199229,157
199328,694
199428,062
199526,727
199625,125
199723,950
199823,162
199922,705
200022,337
200121,013
200221,350
200321,069
200421,012
200520,234
200620,079
200720,264
200819,030
200917,563
201015,865
201115,304
201214,301
201314,323
201413,956
201513,540
201612,992
201711,753
201811,290
201910,585
20209,521
20219,152
20229,109
20238,391
20248,391