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The short answer
Daphne is a feminine name that means "laurel" in Greek, according to Behind the Name. In Greek mythology Daphne was a nymph who was turned into a laurel tree by her father so that she could escape the pursuit of Apollo. It is pronounced DAF-nee in English (IPA /ˈdæf.ni/) and DAHF-nə in Dutch. Behind the Name says the name has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world since the end of the 19th century. Parents choose it for its mythological story, its botanical meaning and its vintage sound. In the United States it ranked #178 for girls in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name gives Daphne as meaning "laurel" in Greek, from the root daphne. The entry recounts the myth: "she was a nymph turned into a laurel tree by her father in order that she might escape the pursuit of Apollo". As a given name in the English-speaking world it dates, per the entry, from the end of the 19th century. Related forms in other languages include Daphné (French), Daphnée (French, Quebec), Dafni (Greek), Dafne (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese), Dafna (Hebrew), Dafina (Albanian, Bulgarian, Macedonian) and Defne (Turkish).
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Greek | daphne (δάφνη) | laurel |
Popularity
Daphne ranked #178 for girls in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration). Behind the Name dates its use as an English given name to the end of the 19th century.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #178 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Daph
Variants: Daphné, Daphnée, Dafne, Dafni
Related names: Dafna, Dafina, Defne
What the name feels like
Daphne has a vintage, slightly bookish charm: two syllables, a soft f sound in the middle and a mythological pedigree that gives it depth without heaviness. It sits with other nature and mythology names that have returned to fashion, and the laurel meaning adds a quiet note of victory and honour.
Style tags: mythological, nature name, vintage, two syllables, Greek
Editorial interpretation: These style impressions are editorial judgment, not linguistic fact. The nickname Daph is a natural short form rather than a diminutive documented on the Behind the Name entry; the association of laurel with victory is a general cultural reading, not part of the entry.
If you like this name
Names that share Daphne's Greek mythological origin or its vintage botanical feel.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the name Daphne mean?
Daphne means "laurel" in Greek. In Greek mythology, Daphne was a nymph turned into a laurel tree by her father to escape Apollo, according to Behind the Name.
How do you pronounce Daphne?
In English Daphne is pronounced DAF-nee (IPA /ˈdæf.ni/). Behind the Name gives the Dutch pronunciation as /ˈdɑf.nə/.
Is Daphne a popular name?
Daphne ranked #178 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Daphne — supports etymology, myth, pronunciation, history of English use, related forms.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
