Daphne
Daphne is a girls' name of Greek origin meaning “laurel tree.” It ranked #178 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Daphne?
DAF-nee
where does the name Daphne come from?
From the Greek word for laurel or bay, reaching English by way of French or directly.
In Greek mythology, Daphne was a naiad nymph who was transformed into a laurel tree to escape Apollo's pursuit, a story immortalized by Bernini's famous sculpture. The laurel then became Apollo's sacred plant, used to crown victors and poets throughout ancient Greece.
how popular is this name?
Daphne has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 130 years since 1886, and fell outside it for 10. It peaked at #178 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #178 |
| 2024 | #193 |
| 2023 | #241 |
| 2022 | #281 |
| 2021 | #288 |
| 2020 | #414 |
| 2019 | #435 |
| 2018 | #384 |
| 2017 | #385 |
| 2016 | #407 |
| 2010 | #489 |
| 2000 | #633 |
| 1990 | #765 |
| 1980 | #637 |
| 1970 | #360 |
| 1960 | #573 |
| 1950 | #513 |
| 1940 | #702 |
| 1930 | #699 |
| 1920 | #711 |
| 1900 | #917 |
| 1890 | #693 |
| 1886 | #993 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Daphne fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Daphne
The name comes from the Greek myth of the naiad nymph Daphne, who was turned into a laurel tree to escape the god Apollo.
who are famous people named Daphne?
- Daphne du Maurier (author of Rebecca and The Birds)
- Daphne Bridgerton (character in Bridgerton series)
what are the nicknames and variants of Daphne?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Daphne?
what names go well with Daphne?
Sibling names that share Daphne's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Daphne
What does the name Daphne mean?
Daphne means “laurel tree”.
What is the origin of the name Daphne?
Daphne comes from the Greek naming tradition. Related forms include Dafne and Daphnee.
How popular is the name Daphne?
Daphne ranked #178 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2025, at #178, and it has spent 130 years in the top 1,000 since 1886.
Is Daphne a boy or girl name?
Daphne is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Daphne?
Daphne is pronounced DAF-nee, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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