Daenerys is a unique and distinctive female given name that has gained popularity in recent years due to its association with the character Daenerys Targaryen from George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series and the HBO television adaptation, Game of Thrones.
The name Daenerys is of Greek origin and means "happy". It is derived from the Greek word "daenna," which translates to "to be happy." In the context of the Game of Thrones series, the character Daenerys Targaryen was given this name by her brother Viserys as a symbol of hope and happiness for their family's future restoration to power.
The history of the name Daenerys is not well-documented before its appearance in George R.R. Martin's series. However, it has since become increasingly popular as a baby girl name, particularly in English-speaking countries. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, the popularity of the name Daenerys began to rise significantly after the premiere of Game of Thrones in 2011.
Despite its recent surge in popularity, the name Daenerys remains relatively rare compared to more traditional names. This uniqueness can make it a compelling choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their daughter.
In conclusion, Daenerys is a female given name of Greek origin that means "happy." Its popularity has increased in recent years due to its association with the character Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones. Although its history prior to the series is not well-documented, it has become an appealing choice for parents seeking a distinctive and meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Daenerys has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past decade in the United States, according to the Social Security Administration's data on newborn names. In 2012, there were only 21 babies named Daenerys, but this number started to rise steadily in the following years.
In 2013, the count jumped to 68 births, and it continued to grow with 86 births in 2014 and 82 births in 2015. The name's popularity began to peak around 2016, with 101 babies named Daenerys that year. This trend continued into 2017, with a total of 110 newborns sharing this name.
Interestingly, the popularity of the name Daenerys spiked significantly in 2018, with a record-high 166 births recorded that year. Although there was a slight decrease in 2019 (144 births), it remained relatively high compared to previous years. The popularity of the name has continued to fluctuate but has remained consistently high over recent years, with 108 babies named Daenerys in 2021 and 123 in 2022.
In total, from 2012 to 2023, there have been 1219 babies named Daenerys born in the United States. This upward trend can be attributed to various factors, such as cultural influences and trends in popular culture, but ultimately, each baby named Daenerys represents a unique story and identity within their family.