Daphne

Pronunciation: [ d-AFN-ee ]

Girl Name #191 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A mythological beauty forever entwined with laurels and love

English Greek French Australian

Classic Vintage Literary Elegant Whimsical

Meaning & Origin

"laurel tree"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

"bay laurel"

Origin: Ancient Greek

Language: Greek

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.

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

Famous People Named Daphne

Daphne du Maurier

Writer

1907

British novelist and playwright known for Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, and The Birds

Daphne Bridgerton Fictional

Other

Protagonist of the first Bridgerton Netflix season, played by Phoebe Dynevor, based on Julia Quinn's novels

Daphne Blake Fictional

Other

The fashionable, adventure-seeking redhead from Scooby-Doo (1969)

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

Common Nicknames

Daph Daffie

Pairs Well With

Daphne Rose Daphne Elizabeth Daphne Jane Daphne Louise Daphne Marie Daphne Claire

Sibling Names

Penelope Phoebe Chloe Theodore Sebastian Iris

Also a Boy Name

Daphne is also used as a boy name, ranked #13085.

View Daphne as a boy name →

Similar Names

Sophie Chloe Cloe Stefania Stephany Bethany Tiffany Stefany

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Daphne and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Daphne sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

🧝 Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
🐾 Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
🎭 Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres

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.