BabyNameScoreName profile
Daphne
feminine
This reflects the first name on its own. The full-name report scores the complete combination separately.
Check it with a full name ↓Daphne comes directly from the ancient Greek word Δάφνη (daphnē), meaning 'laurel' or 'bay tree.' In Greek mythology, the name belongs to a nymph who was transformed into a laurel tree by her father, the river god Peneus, to escape the pursuit of the god Apollo. As an English personal given name, Daphne came into use at the end of the 19th century, part of the broader classical-name revival of that era.
Why it works
- English speakers will almost certainly pronounce it correctly on the first try
- spelling is short and predictable — rarely needs repeating
What to know
pronunciation varies somewhat by language — see "How it travels" for the specifics
Popularity
Familiar — #178 in the latest U.S. ranking.
Meaning and origin
Daphne means 'Laurel' — from ancient Greek Δάφνη (daphnē), meaning the laurel or bay tree.
Daphne carries an unusually direct and well-attested chain between a Greek myth, a literal Greek word (daphnē, 'laurel'), and an enduring cultural symbol — the laurel wreath of victory, echoed in the title 'poet laureate' and in the crowns awarded at the ancient Pythian Games at Delphi — distinguishing it from names whose mythological ties are looser or more speculative.
Documented origin: Daphne comes directly from the ancient Greek word Δάφνη (daphnē), meaning 'laurel' or 'bay tree.' In Greek mythology, the name belongs to a nymph who was transformed into a laurel tree by her father, the river god Peneus, to escape the pursuit of the god Apollo. As an English personal given name, Daphne came into use at the end of the 19th century, part of the broader classical-name revival of that era.
How it travels
English and Turkish are shown by default; German is included when it adds a meaningfully different reading.
Spelling stability: high — based on letter-pattern analysis, not a documented linguistic fact.
Also documented
English: DAF-nee
Modern Greek: ðafni
Popularity without panic
Familiar — #178 in the latest U.S. ranking.
Familiar enough to feel established, distinctive enough to stand out.
Full-name check
This rhythm preview stays in your browser only — it's never sent anywhere unless you choose to generate a report below.
No account required. Your report gets a private, unlisted link — it's never added to Daphne's public name page, and surnames are never shown publicly.
Real-world considerations
- Familiar — #178 in the latest U.S. ranking.
- Spelling note: Daphnee.
- No significant uncertainty: the Greek 'laurel' etymology and the Apollo/Daphne myth are well-attested and consistent across the independent classical and onomastic sources checked.