Dan
Dan is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God is my judge or judge.
Origin and history
Dan is a classic masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning 'judge'. Historically a common standalone name as well as a full short form for Daniel, it has been used consistently in the United States since records began in 1880. Although it peaked in popularity during the mid-20th century, it remains a recognized traditional choice.
Popularity in the United States
106,554 babies in the United States have been named Dan since 1880. It ranks #300 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1425.
States where it is most popular
- CA (11.8 %)
- TX (7.3 %)
- OH (6.7 %)
- IL (5.9 %)
- MI (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,402 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,274 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,499 |
| 1910-1920 | 4,737 |
| 1920-1930 | 8,100 |
| 1930-1940 | 9,629 |
| 1940-1950 | 18,017 |
| 1950-1960 | 26,009 |
| 1960-1970 | 22,709 |
| 1970-1980 | 5,550 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,808 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,860 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,440 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,008 |
| 2020-2029 | 512 |
Famous people named Dan
- Dan Aykroyd: actor, comedian
- Dan Marino: athlete, football player
- Dan Brown: author, novelist
Nicknames
Danny
Fun facts
- In the Hebrew Bible, Dan was the fifth son of Jacob and the patriarch of the Tribe of Dan.
- Dan was particularly popular in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s as both a full name and a common nickname.