The nameDaniel
Daniel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge". The name of the prophet of the lions' den, it is a timeless classic in many languages.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Daniel comes from the Hebrew Daniyyel, made of dan, "he judged", and El, "God": "God is my judge".
Origin
Hebrew. In the Book of Daniel, the prophet survives the lions' den in Babylon and interprets the dreams of King Nebuchadnezzar.
History
Daniel spread through the Christian world in the Middle Ages and became very popular in English-speaking countries in the 20th century. It was in the American top 10 for many years from the 1970s and reached second place in England and Wales. Dan and Danny are its usual short forms.
Did you know?
- In the Bible, the prophet Daniel is thrown into the lions' den and comes out unharmed.
- Daniel Defoe published Robinson Crusoe in 1719.
- Daniel Craig played James Bond in five films, from Casino Royale in 2006 to No Time to Die in 2021.
Famous people named Daniel
- Daniel, prophet of the Bible
- Daniel Defoe, writer
- Daniel Craig, actor
- Daniel Radcliffe, actor
Popularity of the name Daniel
Daniel in the United States
Daniel was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 348,088 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Daniel. Its rise began around 1920, and it peaked in 1985. Half of all babies named Daniel in the United States were born before 1980, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 8,927 births a year on average, against 12,051 in the five years before.
Daniel in the United Kingdom
Daniel was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 60,472 births over the decade, 48% of all recorded babies named Daniel. Half of all babies named Daniel in the United Kingdom were born before 2005, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,148 births a year on average, against 2,069 in the five years before.
Daniel in Ireland
Daniel in France
Daniel in Belgium
Daniel in Switzerland
Daniel in Austria
Daniel in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Daniel
Names from the same generation as Daniel, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Daniel? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Daniel with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Daniel side by side with the name of your choice.
Daniel in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Daniel mean?
Daniel comes from the Hebrew Daniyyel, made of dan, "he judged", and El, "God": "God is my judge".
What is the origin of the name Daniel?
Hebrew. In the Book of Daniel, the prophet survives the lions' den in Babylon and interprets the dreams of King Nebuchadnezzar.
Is Daniel a girl's or a boy's name?
Daniel is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Daniel?
In 2024, Daniel was the 16th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 8,391 births.
What are the variants of the name Daniel?
Variants and related names of Daniel include Daniela, Daniele, Danielle, Danilo, Danny and Dany.
What are good sibling names for Daniel?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Elizabeth, Abigail, Madeline and Anna for a sister, David, John, Joseph and Samuel for a brother.
Who are famous people named Daniel?
Daniel, prophet of the Bible; Daniel Defoe, writer; Daniel Craig, actor; Daniel Radcliffe, actor.