Declining since 2007, #1,631 for girls today.
Popularity of Danica since 1916
Babies named Danica per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 10 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 42 |
| 1960s | 290 |
| 1970s | 1,051 |
| 1980s | 1,893 |
| 1990s | 2,382 |
| 2000s | 5,244 |
| 2010s | 4,591 |
| 2020s | 1,019 |
Meaning & origin
Danica, a Slavic name meaning 'morning star', has been recorded in the United States since 1916. It saw a notable rise in the 2000s, peaking in 2007, likely influenced by the prominence of race car driver Danica Patrick. Since that peak, its usage has been steadily declining, and in 2025 it ranked 1631 with an incidence of 1 in 12,656 new births. The name is most popular in states like Washington, Missouri, and Illinois. While not a common choice, Danica offers a melodic alternative to more familiar names like Danielle or Dana, with a celestial meaning that appeals to parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name.
Danica is a feminine name of Slavic origin, derived from the word 'danica' meaning 'morning star' or 'Venus'. It is used across Slavic-speaking countries, particularly in Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. The name gained international recognition through the Croatian-American race car driver Danica Patrick, born in 1982.
Where Danica is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dani, Nica
Sibling names for Danica
Names that share Danica's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Danica
Names whose popularity has moved with Danica's over the last 50 years.
