"invented Valyrian fantasy name"
Origin: Fictional
Language: English
Daenerys
Does Daenerys flow with your last name?
The Mother of Dragons — Game of Thrones' most iconic name
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English
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Whimsical
Strong
Unique
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Game of Thrones character who became a mass murderer in the controversial final season (2019), causing a significant drop in name popularity
The Story of Daenerys
Daenerys is a wholly invented name created by author George R.R. Martin for his A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series (1996). Martin constructed it with the feel of ancient languages — the '-ys' ending echoes Valyrian names in his fictional world, and the sound may have been inspired by the Greek name Danaë (mother of Perseus in Greek mythology). It has no real-world linguistic roots.
Daenerys spiked dramatically with the success of HBO's Game of Thrones (2011-2019). Hundreds of American babies were named Daenerys between 2011-2018. The name then collapsed after the controversial 2019 final season, in which the beloved character commits mass murder — a cautionary tale about naming children after fictional characters in ongoing stories.
Daenerys Targaryen was one of the most beloved fictional characters of the 2010s — 'Mother of Dragons,' 'Breaker of Chains' — a feminist icon to many viewers who saw her as a symbol of justice and power overcoming oppression. The character's arc remains one of the most discussed in television history.
Historical Record
Daenerys first appeared in US Social Security records in 2012.
Over 1,356 babies have been named Daenerys in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Daenerys is a new entry on the US charts , currently ranked #1,567 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Daenerys was given more titles than any other character in Game of Thrones history — she had over a dozen formal titles
- The name appeared on 163 birth certificates in the US in 2015 at the show's peak popularity
Daenerys in Other Languages
English
Daenerys
High Valyrian
Daenerys
Popularity Over Time
#1,567
Current Rank
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Daenerys
D
Daenerys Targaryen Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Game of Thrones (HBO, 2011-2019), the 'Mother of Dragons' and last heir of House Targaryen, played by Emi...
Protagonist of Game of Thrones (HBO, 2011-2019), the 'Mother of Dragons' and last heir of House Targaryen, played by Emilia Clarke
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Compare Daenerys with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #1,567
- Total SSA Count
- 136
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Dany
Daeny
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Daenerys
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Daenerys is also used as a boy name, ranked #28794.
View Daenerys as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Daenerys
What does the name Daenerys mean?
"invented Valyrian fantasy name" (from Fictional). Daenerys is a wholly invented name created by author George R.R. Martin for his A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series (1996). Martin constructed it with the feel of ancient languages — the '-ys' ending echoes Valyrian names in his fictional world, and the sound may have been inspired by the Greek name Danaë (mother of Perseus in Greek mythology). It has no real-world linguistic roots.
What is the origin of the name Daenerys?
Daenerys has Fictional, American, and English origins. In Fictional, it means "invented Valyrian fantasy name".
Is Daenerys a boy or girl name?
Daenerys is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1567. As a boy name, it is ranked #28794. Daenerys is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Daenerys?
Daenerys is currently ranked #1567 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Daenerys?
Common nicknames for Daenerys include Dany and Daeny.
What are good middle names for Daenerys?
Popular middle name pairings include Daenerys Storm, Daenerys Rose, Daenerys Vae, Daenerys Grace, Daenerys Lyra, and Daenerys Celeste.
What are good sibling names for Daenerys?
Names that pair well with Daenerys as siblings include Arya, Sansa, Rhaenyra, Theon, Viserys, Jon, and Lyanna.
How many syllables does Daenerys have?
Daenerys has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Daenerys a common or rare name?
Daenerys is an uncommon name, ranked #1567 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Daenerys
Daenerys is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "invented Valyrian fantasy name" in Fictional .
Is Daenerys a boy or girl name? Daenerys is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,567 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #28,794. Daenerys is more commonly used as a girl name.
Daenerys is currently ranked #1,567 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Daenerys has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Daenerys include Dany and Daeny. 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