Rising since 1992, #178 for girls today.
Popularity of Daphne since 1886
Babies named Daphne per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 26 |
| 1890s | 131 |
| 1900s | 162 |
| 1910s | 498 |
| 1920s | 1,057 |
| 1930s | 764 |
| 1940s | 1,321 |
| 1950s | 2,789 |
| 1960s | 6,933 |
| 1970s | 4,827 |
| 1980s | 2,699 |
| 1990s | 2,519 |
| 2000s | 5,126 |
| 2010s | 7,768 |
| 2020s | 7,562 |
Meaning & origin
Daphne has a long history in English-speaking countries, first recorded in the United States in 1886. After a period of moderate use, the name has been rising steadily since 1992 and reached its peak rank of 178 in 2025, with an estimated 1 in 924 baby girls receiving the name. It is particularly popular in Vermont, the District of Columbia, and Alaska, reflecting a preference for nature-inspired names in those regions. The classical myth of the nymph Daphne gives the name a literary and botanical charm that continues to appeal to modern parents.
From Greek δάφνη (daphne) meaning 'laurel' or 'bay tree'. In Greek mythology, Daphne was a nymph who was transformed into a laurel tree to escape the advances of Apollo. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century, partly due to the association with the plant and the classical myth.
Where Daphne 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.
“Daphne” around the world
Where Daphne lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
235
babies in 2024
Ireland
9
babies in 2025
New Zealand
23
babies in 2025
Quebec
32
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Daph, Daffy, Daphie
Sibling names for Daphne
Names that share Daphne's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Eliana, Lucia, Selah, Aurelia, Iris, Demetria, Eleni, Kassandra, Larissa, Phoebe, Roxana, Idalia, Olympia, Phebe, Clio, Daphanie, Deatra, Dedria, Doree, Isidora, Maurissa, Adelfa, Adonia, Aspasia, Asteria, Chloris, Circe, Daffney, Ionia, Philana, Taffy, Cybele, Cybill, Cyrene, Darsi, Dorthia, Eirene, Eurydice, Faydra, Kassiani, Kyrene, Niobe, Thetis
Brothers: Felix, Julian, Simon, Theo, Ezra, Adonis, Cedrick, Dorien, Homer, Perseus, Solon, Theron, Danyel, Denzil, Devonne, Ladon, Zeno, Alcides, Ariston, Charron, Darcell, Devere, Hermes, Spiro, Timon, Apollos, Deldrick, Derico, Dewight, Leonides, Martice, Orest, Oreste, Chalon, Davelle, Dominie, Frasier, Icarus, Kimon, Midas, Savalas
Names like Daphne
Names whose popularity has moved with Daphne's over the last 50 years.
