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GENDER: Male

PRONUNCIATION: DAN-yell

ETYMOLOGY: Daniel means "God is my Judge"

ORIGIN & HISTORY:

The name Daniel is originally a Hebrew name. Daniel was a prophet and also the writer of the book of Daniel in the bible.

He was taken captive by the King of Babylon when he was just a teenager. He came to have a high position in his role with Nebuchadnezzar, the reigning King of Babylon.

However, through the under-chief's jealousy and creating a tricked, signed edict from the King, he was thrown into a lion's pit for refusing to stop praying 3 times a day instead of worshiping the King.

His position was to correctly interpret dreams for the king. All false interpreters who could not find the true meaning to the dreams were put to death.

The biblical book of Daniel is a prophetic book, and some scholars believe parts are being fulfilled in our day.

POPULARITY:

Daniel has always been a popular boys name. In 2006 (latest data) the name Daniel ranked 6th in the United States and 9th as a name chosen in United Kingdom. Only in the 1970's was the name Daniel at its lowest peak.

FASCINATING FACTS:

The famous expression "read the handwriting on the wall" originated with the prophet Daniel when he first interpreted the meaning of the inscribed words "MENE, MENE, TEKEL and PARSIN" for the King of Babylon.

The expression means: "Oh King, you have been weighed and found deficient in the balance. Your Kingdom will be taken from you this very night". The Babylonian empire was overthrown that very night by the Medes and the Persians.

Although the famous and well-known song, Danny Boy, is considered an Irish anthem, the writer of the song, Frederick Weatherly, was an Englishman who never visited Ireland.

Danny Boy has been recored by many famous singers including Elvis Presley. The bittersweet song reflects a message from a parent to a son going off to war, as interpreted by many.

FAMOUS PERSONS:

Daniel Webster: 1782-1852
An attorney, American statesman, famous orator. The short story "The Devil and Daniel Webster" written by Stephen Vincent Benet, became a movie in 2001 starring Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Daniel Boone: 1734-1820
An American pioneer who trail-blazed and settled the state of Kentucky. A legendary folk hero as well as serving in the American Revolutionary war as a militia officer.

Daniel Defoe: 1659-1731
British writer and journalist. Famous for writing the novel "Robinson Crusoe".

Danny Thomas: 1914-1991
Famous American entertainer in nightclubs, TV sitcoms; "Make room for Daddy" and "The Danny Thomas Show". Most importantly, Mr. Thomas was a philanthropist. He founded the well-known St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee in 1962. He was a posthumous recipient of the 2004 Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.

NAME VARIANTS: (the name is used in 12 countries)

Danilo - Spanish
Dantrell - modern, blended variant
Dan, Danal, Daniele, Danyel Dannie, Danny

I dedicate this article to my son Daniel, who is 43 and my dear niece Danielle who died in a tragic skiing accident at age eleven in 1991. Daniel, truly a beautiful name and rich in meaning!

Learn more about this author, Victoria Rose Perkins.
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