Dane is a name of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse word "Dani" which means "Danish." It is often associated with Denmark, the country in Northern Europe that shares its name.
The name Dane has a rich history dating back to the Viking Age. It was popular among the Norsemen, who were known for their seafaring and exploration throughout Europe and beyond. The name gained further prominence during the Middle Ages when it became common among nobles and royals in Scandinavia.
Over time, the name Dane has spread beyond its Scandinavian origins and is now recognized as a unisex given name around the world. Despite its historical roots, Dane remains relatively uncommon compared to other names of similar origin.
In terms of popularity, Dane has appeared on and off the Social Security Administration's list of most popular baby names in the United States since records began in 1900. However, it has never made it into the top 1000 names for either boys or girls.
Overall, the name Dane carries a sense of heritage and history while also being unique and distinctive. Its Scandinavian origins give it a strong and powerful connotation, making it an attractive choice for parents looking for a name with character and depth.
The name Dane has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the early years of the 20th century, there were only a handful of births each year with this name, with the number of births ranging from just five in 1898 to seven births per year between 1913 and 1916.
However, the popularity of the name Dane began to increase steadily in the 1920s. In 1925, there were 35 births with this name, and by 1927, that number had risen to 24 births per year. This trend continued into the 1930s, with a peak of 69 births in 1945.
The 1940s marked a significant turning point for the popularity of the name Dane. Between 1946 and 1958, there were over 200 births per year on average, with peaks of 353 births in 1957 and 356 births in 1959. This decade also saw the highest total number of births with the name Dane at 33011.
However, after reaching its peak popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, the name Dane began to decline again in popularity during the late 1960s. By 1971, there were only 205 births with this name, a significant decrease from previous years.
The popularity of the name Dane has continued to fluctuate since then. After reaching another peak of 1003 births in 1985, it fell again in the early 1990s before rising slightly in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
In recent years, the name Dane has seen a steady decline in popularity. Between 2016 and 2023, there were fewer than 500 births per year on average with this name, with only 256 births recorded in 2023.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Dane has waxed and waned over the past century, it remains a popular choice for parents in the United States. Despite its recent decline in popularity, there were still nearly 300 births with this name in 2021 alone.