Daphne is a feminine given name of Greek origin. It comes from the Greek word "daphnē" which means "laurel". In Greek mythology, Daphne was a beautiful nymph who was pursued by Apollo, the god of light and prophecy. To escape his pursuit, she called upon her father, a river god, for help. He turned her into a laurel tree to protect her from Apollo's advances. Apollo then made the laurel his sacred plant and would wear it on his head as a wreath during ceremonies.
The name Daphne was popularized by the Roman poet Ovid in his work "Metamorphoses", where he retold the story of Daphne and Apollo. Since then, the name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world. It is often associated with grace, beauty, and timelessness due to its origins in Greek mythology.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Daphne. One famous example is Daphne Guinness, a British fashion icon known for her eccentric and avant-garde style. Another is Daphne du Maurier, an English author best known for her novel "Rebecca", which was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Today, Daphne remains a popular choice among parents looking for a unique yet timeless name for their daughters. Its meaning, "laurel," lends it a sense of elegance and achievement, while its origins in Greek mythology give it a mystical and romantic appeal.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Dafnee has seen a varying number of births annually in the United States over the span of years from 2005 to 2010 and again in 2018.
From 2005 to 2010, there were a total of 34 babies named Dafnee born in the U.S. The year with the highest number of births was 2008, with 7 babies given the name Dafnee. Conversely, the years with the lowest numbers were 2006 and 2007, each having 5 births.
In 2018, there were another 5 births recorded for the name Dafnee in the U.S., contributing to a cumulative total of 39 babies named Dafnee since 2005. This demonstrates that while the name may not have been consistently popular throughout these years, it has maintained some presence in the U.S. naming landscape.