Gender: Primarily male
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “God is my judge”
Pronunciation: DAN-yul
Meaning of the Name Daniel
The name Daniel comes from the Hebrew name דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniyyel), which means “God is my judge” or “God is my arbiter.” It combines the elements “dan” (judge) and “el” (God). This powerful meaning has made it a timeless choice for parents looking for a name with spiritual significance.
Historical Significance of Daniel
Daniel has deep historical roots, most notably from the Biblical figure Daniel who was known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams. He’s famous for surviving being thrown into a lions’ den because of his unwavering faith. The Book of Daniel in the Old Testament tells his story.
Throughout history, the name has remained consistently popular across various cultures. It was common among early Christians and gained widespread use in England after the Norman Conquest. From medieval times to the present day, Daniel has never really gone out of style!
Common Nicknames for Daniel
- Dan
- Danny
- Dani
- D
- Danno
- Niel
- Dee
How Popular Is Daniel?
Daniel has been incredibly steady in popularity over the decades. In the US, it’s been in the top 20 names for boys for most of the past 50 years! It reached its peak in the 1980s and 1990s but has remained a top choice.
As of recent years, Daniel typically ranks between #10-15 on popularity charts in the United States. In the UK and Australia, it also consistently places in the top 25 names for boys. What’s remarkable about Daniel is how it manages to be popular without feeling overused—it’s achieved that rare status of being both common and classic.
Famous People Named Daniel
- Daniel Craig – British actor known for playing James Bond
- Daniel Radcliffe – Actor famous for portraying Harry Potter
- Daniel Day-Lewis – Award-winning method actor with three Oscars
- Daniel Kaluuya – Actor known for “Get Out” and “Black Panther”
- Dan Rather – Legendary American journalist
- Daniel Ricciardo – Formula One racing driver
- Danny DeVito – Actor, director, and producer
Fictional Characters Named Daniel
- Daniel LaRusso – Protagonist in “The Karate Kid” films and “Cobra Kai” series
- Daniel Hillard – Robin Williams’ character in “Mrs. Doubtfire”
- Daniel “Oz” Osbourne – Character from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
- Danny Phantom – Titular character of the animated series
- Daniel Jackson – Character from the “Stargate” franchise
- Danny Tanner – Character in the sitcom “Full House”
Daniel in Literature and Pop Culture
Daniel has appeared prominently in literature and pop culture throughout the ages. Beyond the biblical Daniel, the name has appeared in:
- “Daniel Deronda” – George Eliot’s novel
- “Daniel Boone” – Folk hero and frontiersman whose adventures inspired many books and shows
- Elton John’s hit song “Daniel” (1973)
- The character of Daniel Plainview in the acclaimed film “There Will Be Blood”
- Daniel Desario in the cult TV show “Freaks and Geeks”
The name often conveys strength, intelligence, and reliability in modern media portrayals.
Personality Traits Associated with Daniel
People named Daniel are often described as:
- Reliable and trustworthy
- Intelligent with good judgment (fitting the name’s meaning)
- Balanced – serious when needed but with a good sense of humor
- Natural leaders who don’t seek the spotlight
- Loyal friends and partners
- Thoughtful and analytical
- Resilient in the face of challenges
Of course, this is just for fun—every Daniel carves their own unique path!
Similar Names to Daniel
- David
- Samuel
- Michael
- Nathan
- Nathaniel
- Gabriel
- Elijah
Alternate Spellings for Daniel
- Danyal
- Danyel
- Daniyel
- Daniele (Italian)
- Daniil (Russian)
- Danijel (Croatian)
- Daniël (Dutch)
Pronunciation Variations Around the World
- English: DAN-yul
- French: dah-NYEL
- Spanish: dah-NYEL with a softer ‘l’
- Italian: dah-NYEH-leh
- Russian: dah-NEEL
- Hebrew: dah-nee-EL
Parents Who Like Daniel Also Like
- Matthew
- Benjamin
- Joshua
- Joseph
- Andrew
- Thomas
- Alexander
- Christopher
Baby Name Lists That Include Daniel
- Classic Boys’ Names
- Biblical Names with Modern Appeal
- Names That Never Go Out of Style
- Professional-Sounding Names
- Names with Positive Meanings
- Strong Boy Names with Historical Significance
- Names Popular Across Multiple Cultures
Daniel for Both Genders
While Daniel is traditionally a male name, the feminine versions include:
- Danielle
- Daniela
- Daniella
- Dania
Some parents also use Daniel for girls, though this is less common.
Sibling Name Ideas
For Brothers:
- Michael
- Samuel
- David
- Joseph
- Benjamin
- Jonathan
- Matthew
For Sisters:
- Sarah
- Hannah
- Rebecca
- Elizabeth
- Rachel
- Abigail
- Leah
Names with the Same Meaning as Daniel
- Danilo (Slavic version)
- Dan (Hebrew, “judge”)
- Dino (Italian diminutive)
- Johannes (another biblical name meaning “God is gracious”)
- Theodore (Greek, “gift of God”)
First Impressions of Daniel
When people hear the name Daniel, they often think:
- Trustworthy and dependable
- Intelligent and well-educated
- Kind and friendly
- Someone with a good balance of seriousness and humor
- A person who might be reserved at first but warms up quickly
I’ve noticed people tend to have positive associations with Daniels they’ve met—the name carries a sense of reliability without feeling boring!
Celebrity Babies Named Daniel
- Daniel Moder (Julia Roberts’ son)
- Daniel Julez Smith Jr. (Solange Knowles’ son)
- Daniel Radcliffe (his parents started the trend!)
- Daniel Gibson Jr. (son of singer Keyshia Cole)
- Daniel Estulin (son of actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, goes by Dylan)
Songs About Daniel
- “Daniel” by Elton John
- “Oh Danny Boy” (Irish folk song)
- “Daniel” by Bat For Lashes
- “Daniel” by Wilson Phillips
- “Danny Boy” by Johnny Cash
Famous Quotes About Daniel
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.” – Book of Daniel 1:8
“Daniel was a man greatly beloved of God.” – Biblical reference
“I name thee Daniel, for God is my judge.” – Traditional naming blessing
Daniel in Different Languages
- Hebrew: דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniyyel)
- Arabic: دانيال (Danyal)
- Russian: Даниил (Daniil)
- Greek: Δανιήλ (Daniíl)
- Japanese: ダニエル (Danieru)
- Chinese: 丹尼尔 (Dān ní ěr)
- Hungarian: Dániel
- Finnish: Taneli
Name Combinations for Daniel
First and Middle Name Combinations:
- Daniel James
- Daniel Alexander
- Daniel Joseph
- Daniel Thomas
- Daniel Robert
- Daniel William
- Daniel Michael
As a Middle Name:
- James Daniel
- William Daniel
- Thomas Daniel
- John Daniel
- Robert Daniel
- Michael Daniel
Comments from Parents of Children Named Daniel
“We chose Daniel for our son because it’s classic but not boring. Five years later, we couldn’t imagine him with any other name—it just fits his thoughtful personality perfectly!”
“Everyone can spell and pronounce Daniel, but it still feels special. He goes by Danny with his friends and Daniel in more formal settings, which gives him flexibility as he grows.”
“Our Daniel is living up to his name’s meaning—he’s always been the fairest judge among his siblings when they have disputes!”
“We loved that Daniel works in practically every language. Since we travel a lot and have family overseas, this was important to us.”
“Our little Daniel is the fourth generation to have this name in our family. It’s a wonderful tradition that connects him to his great-grandfather.”