Origin, Meaning, And History Of Daphney
Daphney is a feminine name and a modern English variant of the Greek name Daphne, which means ‘laurel.’ In Greek mythology, the name is associated with a nymph (Daphne) who got transformed into a laurel tree to avoid the advances of Apollo, the Greek god. Daphney’s meaning can hence be translated as ‘laurel tree,’ which symbolizes honor, strength, and victory. It is typically given to females born in Christian families.
Among English speakers, the typical pronunciation of the name is “Daf-nee” or “Da-fa-ni,” which could vary elsewhere depending on the language and culture where the name is used.
The name Daphney made an appearance in the late 1880s; however, it wasn’t until the 1950s that it came to usage in the US. In recent years, Daphney remains uncommon, and the data on it being used as a last name is also scarce.
However, it is also used in other countries such as South Africa, the United Kingdom, Kenya, Germany, Indonesia, and the Netherlands.
Daphney has several variants in terms of spelling and the origins of the names. A few spelling variants of the name are Daphnie, Dafnie, Dafnee, and Dafneigh. In other origins, the name could be used as Dafna (Hebrew), Defne (Turkish), Dafne (Spanish), and Daphné or Daphnée (French).
For the name Daphney, a few nicknames to consider are Daff, Daph, Dafne, Honey, Dafee, and Fifi.
One popular personality with the name is the South African actressDaphney Hlomuka, known for her roleMaMkhize (Mrs. Mhlongo)in the TV seriesHlala Kwabafileyo.
Daphney does not appear commonly in popular culture. Nevertheless, its variant Daphne is popularly used as a fictitious name and borne by some famous personalities. For instance,Daphneis a British drama movie that premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2017. Furthermore,Daphne Blakewas a pivotal character in the popular animated TV seriesScooby-Doo.
Although Daphney is not well-recognized in the movie and television world, its modern feel and strong association with Greek mythology make it a unique and timeless name.
How To Pronounce Daphney?
Daphney On The Popularity Chart
Daphney is a relatively recent moniker that hasn’t achieved substantial recognition in the US. Have a look at the graphs below to gain an understanding of the name’s popularity and rankings.
Popularity Over Time
Daphney could not strike a chord with the parents in the 1980s, it peaked in 2001. The name’s popularity seems to have reduced in recent years, with only 11 (per million babies) sharing it in 2021.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
In terms of the rankings, Daphney wasn’t ever mentioned in the top 1000 list in the US. However, its rankings witnessed several fluctuations over the years, and its position in 2021 was 9,052.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Daphney
Daphney has a modern yet classic sound, which might appeal to you. If that is so, you may check out more names with a similar sound.
Popular Sibling Names For Daphney
Other Popular Names Beginning With D
Names With Similar Meaning As Daphney
If the rich history and meaning of Daphney have intrigued you, we bring more such names that have a similar meaning below.
信息图:根据ν知道名字的个性merology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
在其他语言中如何交流名字
In Nautical Flags
daphney
In Sign Language
daphney
In Braille Alphabet
daphney
In Morse Code
daphney
Name Numerology For Daphney
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Daphney?
The name Daphney means ‘laurel tree.’
2. What is the origin of the name Daphney?
Daphney is of Greek origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Daphney?
Daphney is pronounced daf-nee.
4. What are some popular middle names for Daphney?
