Daniel is a popular given name of Hebrew origin that means "God is my judge." It is derived from the Hebrew name Daniyel, which consists of two elements: "dan," meaning "judge," and "El," meaning "God." Therefore, Daniel can be translated as "God is my judge" or "God judges."
The name Daniel appears in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Daniel. In this story, Daniel is a young Jewish man who is taken into captivity by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II. Despite his circumstances, Daniel remains faithful to his beliefs and refuses to compromise his principles. He becomes known for his wisdom and interpreting dreams and visions.
The name Daniel gained popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages due to the spread of biblical stories and saints' lives. It was also a favored choice among royalty, with several kings and nobles throughout history bearing the name Daniel.
In some cultures, Daniel is considered to bring good fortune or protection from evil spirits. In others, it is associated with wisdom, intelligence, and courage, reflecting the qualities exhibited by the biblical figure of Daniel.
Today, Daniel remains a popular given name for boys around the world. It has also inspired various derivatives, such asDanny (informal diminutive), Danielle (feminine form), Daniella, Danika, and others. Some famous people named Daniel include American actor Daniel Day-Lewis, French philosopher Daniel Dennett, and Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, whose full name is Roger Federer Jr., but he is commonly known by his middle name, Daniel.
"The name Daniel saw a significant rise in popularity from the 1950s onwards, peaking in the late 1970s and early 1980s with over 250 births per year. However, it has been on a steady decline since the mid-1980s, with fewer than 30 births per year recorded since 2016."