Girl · 329th of 30,306
Daphne
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
42,441
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2024
Peak Popularity Year
1,564
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Daphne 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
The name Daphne originates from Greek, meaning 'laurel'. It has evolved through various forms in history and is associated with the myth of a nymph. The name carries connotations of beauty and grace, with no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 19th century and remains a classic name today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdæf.ni/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Daphne comes from the Greek word for 'laurel' or 'bay tree'. In Greek mythology, Daphne was a nymph who was transformed into a laurel tree to escape the advances of Apollo.
Meaning
laurel
Language Evolution
Daphne (Ancient Greek), Daphna (Medieval Greek), Daphne (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, due in part to its association with classical mythology and literature.
Variants & Derivatives
Daphna, Dafne, Daphney
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Daphne is often associated with grace and beauty, and it retains a classic charm that appeals to many parents naming their daughters.
Famous People
Daphne du Maurier, a British author known for her novels., Daphne Blake, a character from the Scooby-Doo franchise.
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy 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 1,564 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 50 US states, with strongest presence in North Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 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 8 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7067th of 7552 | 7 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 797th of 9107 | 1,502 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 766th of 9204 | 1,597 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 469th of 12526 | 7,264 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 418th of 19264 | 8,257 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 758th of 27321 | 4,080 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 575th of 35406 | 8,012 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 329th of 30306 | 11,548 |