Daniel: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced DAN-yuhl · 2 syllables
Daniel means “God is my judge”, from Hebrew.
From Middle English Daniel, Daniell, from Ancient Greek (Daniel), from Hebrew (daniyel, literally “God is my judge”), name borne from the prophet whose story is told in the Book of Daniel.
- Meaning
- God is my judge
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- DAN-yuhl
- US rank (2025)
- #22
- US babies a year
- about 8,663 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 1980
- Style
- Classic, Biblical, Literary
- Nicknames
- Dan, Danny
How popular is Daniel?
Daniel was the #22 name in the US in 2025, given to 8,093 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 40% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1980.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #22 |
| England & Wales | #50 |
| Scotland | #27 |
| Northern Ireland | #14 |
| Ireland | #14 |
| France | #159 |
| Norway | #66 |
| Canada | #31 |
| Australia | #80 |
How old are people named Daniel?
Half of US adults named Daniel are older than 45; most are between 21 and 76. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Daniel
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Daniel have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Daniel
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
On these lists
- The most popular boy names in the US
- Classic boy names
- Literary boy names
- Biblical boy names
- Hebrew boy names
Questions about Daniel
What does the name Daniel mean?
Daniel means “God is my judge”. It comes from Hebrew.
How do you pronounce Daniel?
Daniel is pronounced DAN-yuhl.
How popular is the name Daniel?
Daniel was the #22 name in the US in 2025, given to 8,093 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 40% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1980.
How old are people named Daniel?
Half of US adults named Daniel are older than 45. Most are between 21 and 76.