Daenerys

Girl Name #1,567 Most Popular Hidden Gem 4 Syllables

The Mother of Dragons — Game of Thrones' most iconic name

American English

Bold Literary Whimsical Strong Unique

Meaning & Origin

"invented Valyrian fantasy name"

Origin: Fictional

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Daenerys

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

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

Pairs Well With

Daenerys Storm Daenerys Rose Daenerys Vae Daenerys Grace Daenerys Lyra Daenerys Celeste

Sibling Names

Arya Sansa Rhaenyra Theon Viserys Jon Lyanna

Also a Boy Name

Daenerys is also used as a boy name, ranked #28794.

View Daenerys as a boy name →

Same Origin Names (American)

Liam #1 Olivia #1 Noah #2 Emma #2 Oliver #3 Amelia #3 Theodore #4 Charlotte #4

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.