Daniel
7 synonyms for Daniel, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Name — A male given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge," borne by the prophet in the Old Testament book of the same name.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Hebrew דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniyyel), literally "God is my judge," the name of the biblical prophet in the Book of Daniel.
Full origin of Daniel →Frequently asked questions
What does “Daniel” mean?
The word “Daniel” means a male given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge," borne by the prophet in the Old Testament book of the same name. In plain terms, a common English first name, also the title of a book of the Bible.
How do you pronounce “Daniel”?
“Daniel” is pronounced DAN-yuhl (/ˈdænjəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Daniel” in a sentence?
Here is “Daniel” used in a sentence: “They named their son Daniel after his grandfather.”
What part of speech is “Daniel”?
“Daniel” is a name.
Where does the word “Daniel” come from?
The word “Daniel” comes from Hebrew. From Hebrew דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniyyel), literally "God is my judge," the name of the biblical prophet in the Book of Daniel.
Is “Daniel” a common word?
“Daniel” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does the name Daniel mean?
Daniel is Hebrew in origin and means 'God is my judge'. It joins two elements: 'dan', meaning judge, and 'el', a name for God. The meaning reflects its biblical roots, where Daniel is a figure known for faith and wisdom under judgement throughout the trials he faces.
Where does the name Daniel come from?
The name comes from the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament, where Daniel is a prophet with his own book. He is best known for interpreting dreams and for surviving a night in the lions' den unharmed through his faith. The story spread the name across Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions.
What are common nicknames for Daniel?
The most common short forms are Dan and Danny. Dane is sometimes used too. Around the world the name takes related forms, such as Daniele in Italian, Danilo in Spanish and Portuguese, and Daniyal in Arabic. The feminine versions are Danielle and Daniela.
Is Daniel a feminine or masculine name?
Daniel is traditionally a male given name. Its feminine equivalents are Danielle and Daniela, which share the same Hebrew root and meaning. While Daniel itself is used for boys and men, these related forms are the usual choices for girls, so the name family works across genders.
