Surname Daniel - Meaning and Origin

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G. Daniel

Daniel: What does the surname Daniel mean?

The last name Daniel is of Hebrew origin and means "God is my judge." It derives from the ancient biblical name Daniel, which is comprised of two parts: "Dan" means "to judge," and "El" refers to "Elohim," one of the Hebrew names for God. So, the combined name implies someone who is judged by God or is under the protection of God. The name Daniel was made popular in the Old Testament of the Bible by the prophet Daniel, who famously survived being thrown into a lion's den. Over time, Daniel has become a popular first and last name around the globe found in different forms and languages. Variants of the surname Daniel exist worldwide due to regional translations and spellings, including Daniels, Danielsen, and Daniells. It also has feminine variations such as Daniela or Danielle in many cultures.

Daniel: Where does the name Daniel come from?

The surname Daniel is of Hebrew origin, deriving from the personal name Daniel, meaning "God is my judge". It appeared in different forms in various regions including Daniell, Daniells, Danyell and others during the Middle Ages. It became a popular Christian name after the biblical prophet Daniel, who lived during the Jewish captivity in Babylon in the 6th century BC.

The surname Daniel is prevalent in various parts of the world including England, Wales, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Russia, and throughout the Americas. It is particularly common today in areas with large Christian populations due to its biblical origin. Notably, in France, it ranks as one of the most common surnames.

In the United States, the surname Daniel is most commonly found in the South. In the United Kingdom, it is most concentrated in the south-west of the country, in counties such as Cornwall and Devon. In Ghana, the surname Daniel has been appropriated by the Akan people and adapted into their traditional naming system, making it a common surname there.

Variations of the surname Daniel

The surname Daniel is often associated with Hebrew origins, and it means "God is my judge." Variations and spellings of the name can differ widely, due to regional and national differences in language and pronunciation. Some of the most common variants include Daniels, Daniell, Danyell, Danel, Danyal, Daneel, Danil, D'aniel, Daniele, Danijel, etc.

In some cultures, Daniel might appear as a prefix or suffix to another name, resulting in compound surnames like Danielson, Danielsen, or Danielsen, which mean "Daniel's son."

Possible surname forms of the name Daniel in other languages include Danielsen (Norwegian), Danielyan (Armenian), Danihel (Czech), Daniłowicz (Polish), Danieli (Italian), Daniēlovs (Latvian), Danielovic/ Danilovic (Slavic), etc.

Many surnames historically have been patronymic, i.e., based on the father's name. Consequently, Daniel as a surname likely started as an identifier for "Daniel's son" or "Child of Daniel."

Despite the variations, most forms of the surname maintain the essential elements of the original name, making it recognizable across different cultures and languages.

Famous people with the name Daniel

• Brittany Daniel: An American actress known for her roles in "Sweet Valley High" and "The Game."
• Jeff Daniel: Professional baseball player active in the late 1990s.
• Jack Daniel: Founder of the famous whiskey brand Jack Daniel's.
• Charlie Daniels: Popular American musician known for his contributions to country and southern rock music.
• Ernest Daniel: A renowned American saxophonist, fiddler, and blues composer.
• David Daniels: An acclaimed American countertenor.
• Mickey Daniel: Former Major League Baseball player.
• Trevor Daniel: An American singer and songwriter who gained popularity after releasing his hit single "Falling".
• Anthony Daniels: British actor, best known for his role as C-3PO in the "Star Wars" series.
• Stormy Daniels: An American pornographic actress, stripper, and director.
• William Daniel: Prominent British figure in Cricket.
• Phil Daniel: Former professional footballer in England.
• Britt Daniel: Singer, songwriter and guitarist, and one of the co-founders of the band Spoon.
• Hughie Daniel: Former Major League Baseball pitcher.
• Keith Daniel: South African evangelist and author. Please note that some people are much more well-known than others.

Other surnames

DanielisDaniellDanielmeierDanielmeyerDanielsDanielsenDanielsmeierDanielsmeyerDanielsohnDanielsonDanielsson