Danny is a male given name of Irish origin, derived from the Irish surname Ó Donnghaile, which means "descendant of Donnghal." The personal name Donnghal, in turn, likely comes from the Old Irish word donn, meaning "brown-haired," and gal, meaning "stranger" or "foreigner."
The use of Danny as a given name is relatively modern. It emerged in the early to mid-20th century as a pet form of Daniel, which is derived from the Hebrew name Daniyyel, meaning "God is my judge." While Danny was initially used primarily as a nickname for Daniel, it has since evolved into a standalone given name.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Danny. One of the most famous is American actor Danny Kaye (1913-1987), known for his comedic roles and impressive impersonation skills. Another notable figure is British musician Danny Baker (born 1957), a former DJ on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Despite its Irish origins, Danny has gained popularity worldwide and is not exclusively used in Ireland. It is considered a unisex name, although it is more commonly associated with males. In the United States, for instance, Danny peaked in popularity during the late 1940s to early 1950s but has since declined.
In terms of its meaning and history, Danny is an interesting name that offers a glimpse into Irish history and culture. Its connection to the Hebrew name Daniel also provides a deeper layer of symbolism and significance. Ultimately, however, the true meaning of a name often lies in the eyes of the beholder and the experiences and memories associated with it by those who bear it.
Here are the annual statistics for the name Danny:
Starting from 1900 with just 7 births, the number of babies named Danny increased gradually each year until a significant spike in popularity around the mid-1940s. The peak was reached in 1946 with an impressive 6650 births.
However, after this peak, the name's popularity began to decline steadily. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, Danny had fallen out of favor, with fewer than 4000 babies named Danny each year.
Since then, the name has continued to lose popularity, reaching its lowest point in recent years with only 456 births in 2022. Overall, from 1900 to 2023, there have been a total of 285741 babies named Danny.