"laurel tree"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Daphne
Pronunciation: [ d-AFN-ee ]
Does Daphne flow with your last name?
A mythological beauty forever entwined with laurels and love
English
Greek
French
Australian
Classic
Vintage
Literary
Elegant
Whimsical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"bay laurel"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Greek
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The Story of Daphne
In Greek mythology, Daphne was a naiad nymph and daughter of the river god Peneus. When pursued by Apollo — who had been struck by Cupid's golden arrow — she prayed to her father for rescue and was transformed into a laurel tree. Apollo, heartbroken, declared the laurel sacred and wore a laurel wreath in her honor. The name derives from the Greek word 'daphne,' meaning laurel or bay laurel, and has carried this story of divine pursuit and natural transformation for over two millennia.
Daphne was fashionable in early 20th century Britain and experienced a dramatic revival after the Netflix series Bridgerton (2020), where Daphne Bridgerton is the central protagonist of the first season. Searches for the name spiked over 400% in 2021.
In ancient Greece, laurel wreaths woven from the daphne tree were awarded to Olympic champions, poets, and victors — the origin of our phrase 'resting on one's laurels.' British novelist Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989) gave the name literary distinction with psychological thrillers like Rebecca (1938) and Jamaica Inn.
Historical Record
Daphne first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 38,475 babies have been named Daphne in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Daphne is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #191 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Daphne du Maurier's 1938 novel 'Rebecca' has never been out of print and has sold millions of copies worldwide
- The oracle at Delphi chewed laurel (daphne) leaves before delivering prophecies
- Bridgerton's lead character Daphne sparked a 400%+ spike in searches for the name in 2021
Daphne in Other Languages
Greek
Δάφνη
French
Daphné
German
Daphne
Italian
Dafne
Spanish
Dafne
Portuguese
Dafne
Popularity Over Time
#191
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Daphne
D
Daphne du Maurier
Writer
1907
British novelist and playwright known for Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, and The Birds
D
Daphne Bridgerton Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the first Bridgerton Netflix season, played by Phoebe Dynevor, based on Julia Quinn's novels
D
Daphne Blake Fictional
Other
The fashionable, adventure-seeking redhead from Scooby-Doo (1969)
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #191
- Total SSA Count
- 1,564
- Cultural Origins
- English Greek French Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Daph
Daffie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Daphne
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Daphne is also used as a boy name, ranked #13085.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Daphne
What does the name Daphne mean?
"laurel tree" (from Greek). "bay laurel" (from Ancient Greek). In Greek mythology, Daphne was a naiad nymph and daughter of the river god Peneus. When pursued by Apollo — who had been struck by Cupid's golden arrow — she prayed to her father for rescue and was transformed into a laurel tree. Apollo, heartbroken, declared the laurel sacred and wore a laurel wreath in her honor. The name derives from the Greek word 'daphne,' meaning laurel or bay laurel, and has carried this story of divine pursuit and natural transformation for over two millennia.
What is the origin of the name Daphne?
Daphne has Greek, Ancient Greek, English, French, and Australian origins. In Greek, it means "laurel tree". In Ancient Greek, it means "bay laurel".
Is Daphne a boy or girl name?
Daphne is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #191. As a boy name, it is ranked #13085. Daphne is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Daphne?
Daphne is pronounced d-AFN-ee.
How popular is the name Daphne?
Daphne is currently ranked #191 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Daphne?
Common nicknames for Daphne include Daph and Daffie.
What are good middle names for Daphne?
Popular middle name pairings include Daphne Rose, Daphne Elizabeth, Daphne Jane, Daphne Louise, Daphne Marie, and Daphne Claire.
What are good sibling names for Daphne?
Names that pair well with Daphne as siblings include Penelope, Phoebe, Chloe, Theodore, Sebastian, and Iris.
How many syllables does Daphne have?
Daphne has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Daphne a common or rare name?
Daphne is a popular name, ranked #191 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Daphne
Daphne is a girl name with English, Greek, French, and Australian origins . The name means "laurel tree" in Greek .
Is Daphne a boy or girl name? Daphne is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #191 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #13,085. Daphne is more commonly used as a girl name.
Daphne is currently ranked #191 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Daphne has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AFN-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Daphne include Daph and Daffie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis