Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Daniel
BoyHebrew· “God is my judge”
- Meaning
- God is my judge
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- DAN-yuhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #22
- US babies 2025
- 8,085
- Best rank
- #5 (1985)
- Peak year
- 1985
Meaning and origin of Daniel
Daniel is a Hebrew name that means “God is my judge”.
Daniel is Hebrew for "God is my judge". The Book of Daniel tells of a young Judean exile at the Babylonian court who interprets dreams and survives a night in the lions' den, a story that has kept the name familiar for thousands of years. It was used among early Christians, has been common across Europe since the Middle Ages, and was a favorite of the Puritans. Daniel Boone, the American frontiersman, and Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe, are notable historical bearers. The name stays in steady use because it feels warm and unpretentious. Dan, Danny and Dani are easy nicknames, and forms such as Daniele and Danilo exist in other languages.
Popularity over time
Daniel has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #5 in 1985, the same year it reached its highest count of 38,559 babies. In 2025, 8,085 babies were named Daniel, and it ranked #22 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #52 in 1920, #21 in 1950, #11 in 1980, #9 in 2000, #8 in 2010, and #22 in 2025. Of the 1,982,812 US boys named Daniel since records began, 17% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 272,360 babies. Since 2010, 186,678 more have been named Daniel.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Ryan, Adam, and Christopher.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Daniel ranked highest in Washington, Virginia, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | #13 | 233 |
| Virginia | #13 | 232 |
| Arizona | #15 | 220 |
| District of Columbia | #16 | 26 |
| Texas | #17 | 976 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Daniel is usually pronounced DAN-yuhl, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-el”.
Middle names for Daniel
A few middle names that flow with Daniel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Daniel
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Lists that include Daniel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Daniel mean?
Daniel is a Hebrew name that means “God is my judge”.
What is the origin of the name Daniel?
Daniel has Hebrew roots. Daniel is Hebrew for "God is my judge".
Is Daniel a popular name?
Yes. Daniel ranked #22 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Daniel a boy or girl name?
Daniel is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Daniel?
Daniel is usually pronounced DAN-yuhl. 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