Daffney

Meaning & origin

Daffney first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1961 and reached its peak usage in 1975, though it never entered the top 1000 most popular names. Over the decades, its usage has remained very low and stable, with no notable revival. The name is largely absent from state-level popularity data, indicating scattered, infrequent use. While the spelling Daffney may be an attempt to distinguish itself from the more established Daphne, the two are closely related in sound and origin. Parents drawn to Daffney today likely appreciate its floral undertone and vintage feel, though it remains a rare choice.

Daffney is a modern English variant of Daphne, derived from Greek δάφνη (daphnē) meaning 'laurel'. In Greek mythology, Daphne was a nymph transformed into a laurel tree. The name Daphne has been used since the 19th century, and Daffney emerged as a phonetic respelling, possibly influenced by the flower daffodil, though no direct connection exists. It saw modest use in the United States from the 1960s onward.