Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin that means "God is my judge." It is derived from the Hebrew name Dani'el, which consists of two elements: "Dan" meaning "judge," and "El" meaning "God." Thus, Daniel means "God is my judge."
The name Daniel has a rich history in the Bible. In the Book of Daniel, it is the name of one of the major prophets. According to the story, Daniel was a young man from Judah who was taken into captivity by the Babylonians and served as a wise and virtuous advisor to several Babylonian kings. His faithfulness to God resulted in many miraculous occurrences, including interpretations of dreams and visions.
The popularity of the name Daniel has varied over time and across cultures. In the Middle Ages, it was a common name among Christians due to its biblical associations. Today, Daniel remains popular worldwide, ranking among the top names for boys in several countries.
In some languages, such as French, Spanish, and Portuguese, the name is translated directly from Hebrew, resulting in similar names like Daniel, Danielle (feminine form), or Danilo. However, in other languages like German, Scandinavian, or Slavic, the name has evolved into different forms, such as Daniil, Danniel, or Daneel.
Overall, the name Daniel carries a strong historical and cultural significance, with its origins rooted deep in biblical lore and its meaning conveying a powerful message of faith and justice.
According to U.S. records, the name Danièle experienced a brief period of popularity during the late 20th century. In 1978, there were five babies born who were named Danièle. This number remained consistent for over a decade, as another five baby girls were given this unique name in 1990. Overall, between these two years, a total of ten individuals were named Danièle at birth in the United States.