Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Daphne
GirlGreek· “laurel”
- Meaning
- laurel
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- DAF-nee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #178
- US babies 2025
- 1,740
- Best rank
- #178 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Daphne
Daphne is a Greek name that means “laurel”.
Daphne is the Greek word for the laurel or bay tree. In Greek mythology, Daphne was a nymph pursued by the god Apollo; to escape him, she was transformed into a laurel tree, which became Apollo's sacred plant, and victors in the Pythian Games were crowned with its leaves. The name has been used in English since the late nineteenth century. Author Daphne du Maurier, who wrote Rebecca, is a famous bearer, and Daphne from Scooby-Doo made the name familiar to many generations. Daphne feels classic, literate and elegant, with Daph as a nickname.
Popularity over time
Daphne first appears in US Social Security records in 1886. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 129 different years, starting in 1889. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #178, and its highest count, 1,740 babies. Use has grown 101% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #712 in 1920, #513 in 1950, #637 in 1980, #633 in 2000, #489 in 2010, and #178 in 2025. Of the 44,182 US girls named Daphne since records began, 18% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 7,562 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Lilah, Vivienne, Kaia, Gemma, and Kaylani.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Daphne ranked highest in Vermont, District of Columbia, and Utah.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | #77 | 5 |
| District of Columbia | #78 | 9 |
| Utah | #102 | 41 |
| Oregon | #110 | 31 |
| Alaska | #116 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Daphne is usually pronounced DAF-nee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-ne”.
Middle names for Daphne
A few middle names that flow with Daphne: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Daphne
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Lists that include Daphne
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Daphne mean?
Daphne is a Greek name that means “laurel”.
What is the origin of the name Daphne?
Daphne has Greek roots. Daphne is the Greek word for the laurel or bay tree.
Is Daphne a popular name?
Yes. Daphne ranked #178 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Daphne a boy or girl name?
Daphne is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Daphne?
Daphne is usually pronounced DAF-nee. 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