Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Danica
GirlSlavic· “morning star”
- Meaning
- morning star
- Origin
- Slavic
- Pronunciation
- DAN-ih-kuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,634
- US babies 2025
- 127
- Best rank
- #307 (2007)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Danica
Danica is a Slavic name that means “morning star”.
Danica is a Slavic name meaning morning star, from the Slavic word for day. In South Slavic folklore the morning star, the planet Venus seen at dawn, has a special place, and the name has long been used in Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. In the United States it became better known through the race car driver Danica Patrick. The name is bright and distinctive, with three crisp syllables. Dani is an easy nickname, and Danika is an alternative spelling.
Popularity over time
Danica first appears in US Social Security records in 1916. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 33 different years, starting in 1977. Its best national rank was #307 in 2007, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,109 babies. In 2025, 127 babies were named Danica, and it ranked #1,634 nationally. That is 68% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #929 in 1980, #1,075 in 2000, #425 in 2010, and #1,634 in 2025. Of the 16,522 US girls named Danica since records began, 32% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 4,591 babies. Since 2010, 5,610 more have been named Danica.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Emely, Kiley, Paola, Anahi, and Rihanna.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Danica ranked highest in Washington, Missouri, and Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | #838 | 7 |
| Missouri | #968 | 5 |
| Illinois | #1045 | 8 |
| Virginia | #1075 | 6 |
| New Jersey | #1217 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Danica is usually pronounced DAN-ih-kuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-ca”.
Middle names for Danica
A few middle names that flow with Danica: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Danica
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Lists that include Danica
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Danica mean?
Danica is a Slavic name that means “morning star”.
What is the origin of the name Danica?
Danica has Slavic roots. Danica is a Slavic name meaning morning star, from the Slavic word for day.
Is Danica a popular name?
Not especially. Danica ranked #1,634 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Danica a boy or girl name?
Danica is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Danica?
Danica is usually pronounced DAN-ih-kuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings