Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Danielle
GirlFrench, Hebrew· “feminine of Daniel; God is my judge”
- Meaning
- feminine of Daniel; God is my judge
- Origin
- French, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- dan-YEL
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #549
- US babies 2025
- 550
- Best rank
- #14 (1987)
- Peak year
- 1987
Meaning and origin of Danielle
Danielle is a French and Hebrew name that means “feminine of Daniel; God is my judge”.
Danielle is the French feminine form of Daniel, from the Hebrew Daniyyel, meaning "God is my judge." Daniel is the prophet of the biblical Book of Daniel, famous for surviving the lions' den, and his name has been used across Europe for centuries. The feminine Danielle spread from France into English-speaking countries in the twentieth century, when it became a familiar choice in the United States. Today it has a friendly, grounded feel, a name many people know without it seeming dated. Dani and Elle make easy nicknames, and the name suits both casual and professional settings.
Popularity over time
Danielle first appears in US Social Security records in 1937. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 86 different years, starting in 1938. Its best national rank was #14 in 1987, the same year it reached its highest count of 17,010 babies. In 2025, 550 babies were named Danielle, and it ranked #549 nationally. That is 50% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #909 in 1950, #33 in 1980, #48 in 2000, #195 in 2010, and #549 in 2025. Of the 371,803 US girls named Danielle since records began, 36% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 109,597 babies. Since 2010, 15,367 more have been named Danielle.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Amber, Tiffany, Erica, Whitney, and Katie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Danielle ranked highest in Montana, Indiana, and Virginia.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Danielle is usually pronounced dan-YEL, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with D and ends in “-le”.
Middle names for Danielle
A few middle names that flow with Danielle: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Danielle
Similar names
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Lists that include Danielle
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Danielle mean?
Danielle is a French and Hebrew name that means “feminine of Daniel; God is my judge”.
What is the origin of the name Danielle?
Danielle has French and Hebrew roots. Danielle is the French feminine form of Daniel, from the Hebrew Daniyyel, meaning "God is my judge." Daniel is the prophet of the biblical Book of Daniel, famous for surviving the lions' den, and his name has been used across Europe for centuries.
Is Danielle a popular name?
Yes. Danielle ranked #549 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Danielle a boy or girl name?
Danielle is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Danielle?
Danielle is usually pronounced dan-YEL. 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