"divine judge"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Daniel
Pronunciation: [ d-ANY-uhl ]
Does Daniel flow with your last name?
Steady, strong, and timeless across all cultures
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Classic
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"God judges"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of Daniel
Daniel derives from the Hebrew meaning God is my judge, composed of din (to judge) and El (God). The biblical Daniel was a young Israelite taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar who rose to prominence through his gift of interpreting dreams and his steadfast faith — famously surviving the lions' den. His book contains some of the most dramatic narratives in the Hebrew Bible.
Daniel has been a top-20 boys' name in the US for nearly every decade since the 1950s. Its remarkable staying power comes from crossing religious, ethnic, and regional divides — equally popular among Jewish, Christian, and secular families. It peaked around the top 5 in the US during the 1980s and 1990s.
Daniel is a revered figure across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (where he is known as Daniyal). The Book of Daniel's visions are foundational to apocalyptic literature in all three traditions. The name has been borne by countless leaders, artists, and innovators throughout history.
Historical Record
Daniel first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,730,530 babies have been named Daniel in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Daniel is past its peak , currently ranked #16 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Daniel has been a top-10 name in the US for more than 50 consecutive years
- Elton John's hit song Daniel (1973) kept the name culturally prominent for a generation
- Daniel Craig became the sixth actor to play James Bond, reinventing the franchise for the 21st century
Daniel in Other Languages
Arabic
دانيال
French
Daniel
German
Daniel
Hebrew
דָּנִיֵּאל
Italian
Daniele
Russian
Даниил
Spanish
Daniel
Popularity Over Time
#16
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1985
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Daniel
D
Daniel Radcliffe
Actor
1989
British actor who played Harry Potter in the film series from age 11 to 21
D
Daniel Craig
Actor
1968
British actor who played James Bond in Casino Royale and four subsequent films
D
Daniel Day-Lewis
Actor
1957
British-Irish actor and the only performer to win three Academy Awards for Best Actor
D
Daniel (biblical prophet)
Religious
Hebrew prophet and interpreter of dreams in the Book of Daniel, who survived the lions' den
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Compare Daniel with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #16
- Total SSA Count
- 8,391
- Cultural Origins
- English Spanish French German Jewish Christian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Dan
Danny
Dani
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Daniel
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Daniel is also used as a girl name, ranked #12369.
View Daniel as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Connor
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Irish origin
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Jeremiah
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Hebrew origin
"God will exalt"
#93 in US
Justin
Boy
Latin origin
"just, righteous"
#199 in US
Nico
Boy
Ancient Greek (Nikolaos) origin
"people's triumph"
#212 in US
Jameson
Boy
English origin
"son of James"
#118 in US
Angel
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Greek origin
"messenger"
#63 in US
Jonathan
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Hebrew Yehonatan origin
"God has given"
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Diego
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Spanish folk etymology origin
"may God protect (alternate)"
#145 in US
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Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel
What does the name Daniel mean?
"divine judge" (from Hebrew). "God judges" (from Hebrew). Daniel derives from the Hebrew meaning God is my judge, composed of din (to judge) and El (God). The biblical Daniel was a young Israelite taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar who rose to prominence through his gift of interpreting dreams and his steadfast faith — famously surviving the lions' den. His book contains some of the most dramatic narratives in the Hebrew Bible.
What is the origin of the name Daniel?
Daniel has Hebrew, English, Spanish, French, German, Jewish, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "divine judge". In Hebrew, it means "God judges".
Is Daniel a boy or girl name?
Daniel is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #16. As a girl name, it is ranked #12369. Daniel is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Daniel?
Daniel is pronounced d-ANY-uhl.
How popular is the name Daniel?
Daniel is currently ranked #16 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Daniel?
Common nicknames for Daniel include Dan, Danny, and Dani.
What are good middle names for Daniel?
Popular middle name pairings include Daniel James, Daniel Patrick, Daniel Thomas, Daniel Michael, Daniel Joseph, Daniel Alexander, and Daniel Grey.
What are good sibling names for Daniel?
Names that pair well with Daniel as siblings include Sophia, Emily, Nathan, Rebecca, Joshua, Hannah, and Matthew.
How many syllables does Daniel have?
Daniel has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Daniel a common or rare name?
Daniel is a very popular name, ranked #16 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to Daniel?
About the Name Daniel
Daniel is a boy name with English, Spanish, French, German, Jewish, and Christian origins . The name means "divine judge" in Hebrew .
Is Daniel a boy or girl name? Daniel is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #16 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #12,369. Daniel is more commonly used as a boy name.
Daniel is currently ranked #16 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Daniel has 3 syllables and is pronounced d-ANY-uhl, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Daniel include Dan, Danny, and Dani. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Daniel include Danilo, Dani, Daniyal, Daniil . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Recommended for Parents
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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