Daniel

Daniel is a steadfast Hebrew classic meaning 'God is my judge,' famous through the prophet in the lions' den and beloved across cultures for centuries.

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What Does the Name Daniel Mean?

Daniel comes from the Hebrew Daniyyel, meaning 'God is my judge.' It expresses faith that ultimate judgment belongs to God. The name carries a sense of integrity and conviction.

Personality & Traits

Daniel projects wisdom, calm, and reliability, echoing the biblical figure's steadfast character. It feels classic and trustworthy while staying warm and approachable through nicknames like Dan and Danny. Parents often value its blend of strength and gentleness.

Nicknames & Variations

Common nicknames include Dan, Danny, and Dani. International forms include the Spanish and Portuguese Daniel with a different stress, the Russian Daniil, and the diminutive Danil. The feminine form is Danielle or Daniela.

Is Daniel a Good Name in 2026?

Daniel has been a US top-twenty to top-fifty boys' name for decades, a mark of remarkable stability. It offers a meaningful origin, timeless familiarity, and friendly nicknames. It is a dependable classic that never feels like a passing trend.

Daniel has been a US top-tier boys' name for decades, frequently in the top twenty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Daniel a boy or girl name?

Daniel is a boys' name. Feminine forms include Danielle and Daniela.

What does the name Daniel mean?

Daniel means 'God is my judge,' from the Hebrew Daniyyel.

Where does the name Daniel come from?

Daniel is Hebrew in origin and comes from the biblical prophet.

Is Daniel a popular name?

Yes. Daniel has been one of the most consistently popular US boys' names for decades.

Is the name Daniel rising or falling in popularity?

According to U.S. Social Security Administration birth data (rank among all American baby names, boys and girls combined), Daniel is holding steady, around #25 in 2024 (#25 in 2019) — and its best year on record is 2008, at #5.

Notable people named Daniel

Daniel Radcliffe — English actor (born 1989) best known for portraying Harry Potter in all eight films of the Harry Potter series (2001-2011); his stage work earned him a Tony Award.

Source: Wikipedia: Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Day-Lewis — English actor (born 1957) who holds the record for most Academy Awards for Best Actor, with three wins for My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007), and Lincoln (2012).

Source: Wikipedia: Daniel Day-Lewis

Popularity of the name Daniel in the US

1985 · 38,858 babies · rank #9 (294 girls, 38,564 boys)