Daniel
Daniel is a boys' name of Hebrew origin meaning “God is my judge.” It ranked #22 in the United States in 2025. From the Hebrew Daniyyel meaning God is my judge.
Torn between Daniel and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Daniel?
DAN-yel
where does the name Daniel come from?
From the Hebrew דָּנִיֵּאל, joining din, meaning to judge, with El, meaning God — God is my judge. Like many Hebrew theophoric names it makes a claim rather than describing the bearer, and the claim here is one of appeal to a higher court.
The biblical prophet Daniel survived the lion's den and interpreted royal dreams, making this one of the most enduring names across cultures.
the history of Daniel
The book of Daniel supplies two of the most enduring images in Western art, the lions' den and the writing on the wall, and gave English the phrase a Daniel come to judgement by way of The Merchant of Venice. The name has been in steady English-speaking use since the Reformation and spent much of the later twentieth century inside the American top twenty.
how popular is this name?
Daniel has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #5 in 1985, and ranked #22 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #22 |
| 2024 | #16 |
| 2023 | #17 |
| 2022 | #14 |
| 2021 | #16 |
| 2020 | #14 |
| 2019 | #15 |
| 2018 | #15 |
| 2017 | #15 |
| 2016 | #13 |
| 2010 | #8 |
| 2000 | #9 |
| 1990 | #5 |
| 1985 | #5 |
| 1980 | #11 |
| 1970 | #19 |
| 1960 | #17 |
| 1950 | #21 |
| 1940 | #34 |
| 1930 | #47 |
| 1920 | #52 |
| 1910 | #53 |
| 1900 | #44 |
| 1890 | #39 |
| 1880 | #25 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Daniel fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Daniel?
- Daniel Craig
- Daniel Radcliffe
- Daniel Day-Lewis
what are the nicknames and variants of Daniel?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Daniel?
what names go well with Daniel?
Sibling names that share Daniel's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Daniel
What does the name Daniel mean?
Daniel means “God is my judge”.
What is the origin of the name Daniel?
Daniel comes from the Hebrew naming tradition. Related forms include Daniël, Daniele and Danijel.
How popular is the name Daniel?
Daniel ranked #22 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1985, at #5, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Daniel a boy or girl name?
Daniel is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Daniel?
Daniel is pronounced DAN-yel, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Daniel? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session