Daniel
Gender: Boy
Meaning: God is my judge
Origin: Hebrew — from Dan (judge) + El (God): Daniyyel (דָּנִיֵּאל)
Popularity: Ranked #22 in 2025 with 8,085 babies born.
History: Daniel is the Hebrew prophet who survived the lion's den through unshakeable faith — one of the Old Testament's most gripping stories. The name has been used continuously in the English-speaking world since the Middle Ages. It was a top-10 U.S. name for most of the 1980s and 1990s. Daniel Boone, Daniel Webster, and Daniel Day-Lewis show its range across American heroism and culture. Dan and Danny keep it approachable, while Daniel itself carries quiet dignity.
Famous people named Daniel: Daniel Craig (actor), Daniel Radcliffe (actor), Daniel Day-Lewis (actor)
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Daniel? About 1 in 411 babies born in 2025 were named Daniel, or roughly 22.2 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Daniel
What does the name Daniel mean?
Daniel means “God is my judge” from Hebrew — from Dan (judge) + El (God): Daniyyel (דָּנִיֵּאל) roots.
What is the origin of the name Daniel?
Daniel has Hebrew — from Dan (judge) + El (God): Daniyyel (דָּנִיֵּאל) origin. The traditional meaning is “God is my judge”.
How popular is Daniel?
Daniel ranked #22 in 2025 — given to 8,085 babies that year.
When was Daniel most popular?
Daniel peaked in 1985 with 38,564 babies registered that year.
Is Daniel a boy or girl name?
Daniel is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Daniels in registered births are male.
Is the name Daniel rising or falling in popularity?
Daniel has risen 6062 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #6084 in 2020 to #22 in 2025.
How long has Daniel been recorded?
Daniel appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.