Boy · 45th of 7,552
Danny
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
287,870
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1954
Peak Popularity Year
9,128
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Danny stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Danny is a diminutive form of the Hebrew name Daniel, meaning 'God is my judge.' It has evolved through various languages and has gained popularity as an affectionate name in the 20th century. The name is linked to biblical traditions and is perceived positively in modern culture, associated with notable figures in entertainment.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdæni/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Danny is a diminutive form of the name Daniel, which comes from the Hebrew name דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniyyel), meaning 'God is my judge.'
Meaning
God is my judge
Language Evolution
Daniel (Hebrew), Daniele (Italian), Daniël (Dutch), Dani (Various languages), Danny (English)
Biblical Background
Danny is associated with the biblical figure Daniel, a prophet known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams.
Historical Usage
The name Danny became popular in the English-speaking world in the 20th century, especially as a casual or affectionate form of Daniel.
Variants & Derivatives
Dan, Dani, Daniel
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Danny is viewed as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with youthful energy.
Famous People
Danny DeVito, Danny Glover, Danny Kaye, Danny Boyle
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 9,128 peak births in 1954
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Kentucky
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 631st of 7545 | 1,604 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 136th of 6773 | 23,735 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 45th of 7552 | 155,416 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 82nd of 10718 | 53,833 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 167th of 16616 | 28,299 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 312th of 24088 | 16,450 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 515th of 23106 | 6,850 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6602nd of 9107 | 21 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3187th of 9204 | 147 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2066th of 12526 | 533 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2777th of 19264 | 423 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5202nd of 27321 | 263 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 10604th of 35406 | 144 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 8777th of 30306 | 145 |