What Does the Name Daniel Mean?
Daniel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning “God is my judge.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Daniel |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Meaning | God is my judge |
| Variants | Dan, Danny, Daniel, Daniil, Daniela |
| Popularity | A consistent US top-20 name for several decades |
The meaning and origin of Daniel
The name Daniel means “God is my judge” and has Hebrew origins. Daniel derives from the Hebrew Daniyyel, meaning 'God is my judge.' Borne by the Old Testament prophet of the lions' den, it has remained a steady classic across cultures.
Variants and related names
Daniel is related to several other names you may recognize: Dan, Danny, Daniel, Daniil, Daniela. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Daniel?
A consistent US top-20 name for several decades
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Daniel mean?+
The name Daniel means “God is my judge” and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of the name Daniel?+
Daniel originates from Hebrew.
Is Daniel a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Daniel has trended in the US over time.
Daniel by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press