Name: Daphne
Meaning: Laurel or bay tree
Origin: Greek
Current Popularity: #383
Daphne peaked in popularity in 2014 but has been holding fairly still since then. Its overall trend has been slow and steady, making it one of those “sweet spot” names that is well known but not too popular. Familiar but fresh is a tough balance to strike, and we think Daphne nails it.
Nickname Potential: Daph, Dee, Daffy
Associations: Daphne is perhaps most famously a nymph from Greek mythology. She was turned into a laurel tree by her father to save her from Apollo, hence the origin of her name. Famous Daphnes include Daphne du Maurier, the author of the novel Rebecca, as well as Scooby-Doo gang member Daphne, Daphne Moon from the 90s television show Frasier, Daphne Selfe, the world’s oldest supermodel, and most recently, Daphne Oz. While the name has had its share of pop culture namesakes, it’s not strongly tied to any of them these days, giving the name a freedom to shine on its own.
Similar Names: Chloe, Dahlia, Delphine, Fiona, Gemma, Nina, Penelope, Phoebe, Piper, Poppy, Sophie, Thea, Zoë
Why We Love It: Daphne has a lot going for it. It is not quite traditional (think Elizabeth and Katherine) nor vintage (think Ava or Adeline) — a refreshing break from the names dominating the top of the charts right now. It has the playfulness of names like Phoebe and Zoë and the sophistication of Fiona or Delphine. And famed writer Daphne du Maurier lends it a not-too-delicate gothic/romantic vibe that we think is beautiful.
Who Might Like It: Daphne is perfect for parents who have Greek roots or an interest in Greek mythology or culture. We also like the name for nature lovers who might be looking for a less literal take on the nature-name trend. Daphne is at once chic and not at all trendy, making it a tasteful and unexpected name for a new baby.
I named my daughter Daphnie in 2012 and get compliments all the time on it.
It’s one of my favorite names of all time. 🥰 I suspect we’ll see a spike when the 2021 rankings come out next year, if Bridgerton’s popularity holds.
For me, Daphne is the one that got away! Sadly, my husband was not too keen. We chose Sophie for our daughter, which I also love, but which of course is much more popular. But I was excited to find Sophie in the “Similar names” section – I also feel those two names have similar vibes!
Yeah, my husband wouldn’t go for it either. But it’s a beauty!! Glad you think Daphne and Sophie have similar vibes, too. That “similar names” section is totally subjective, so I’m glad we hit the mark! Thanks for reading the blog.☺️
My name is Daphne. I found it funny my parents, who were very conservative Christians, named me Daphne, with its meaning. I love my name. I find it really strange when I hear of someone in a show named Daphne, or meet another Daphne. I also feel Sophie and Daphne are somehow linked. As well as Eve, and Noella. I don’t know why.