Daniel m
Jewish, English, French, German, Polish, and Czech: biblical name (meaning ‘God is my judge’ in Hebrew) borne by the prophet whose story is told in the Book of Daniel. He was an Israelite slave of the Assyrian king Nebuchadnezzar, who obtained great favour through his skill in interpreting dreams and the ‘writing on the wall’ at the feast held by Nebuchadnezzar's son Belshazzar. His enemies managed to get him cast into a lions' den, but he was saved by God. This was a favourite tale in the Middle Ages, often represented in miracle plays. The name is popular among both Jews and Gentiles; in Ireland it has often been used as an Anglicized form of Gaelic Domhnall (see DONALD (SEE Donald)).
Cognates: Welsh: Deiniol. Scottish Gaelic: Dàniel. Italian: Daniele. Russian: Daniil. Ukrainian: Danilo. Finnish: Taneli.
Short form: English: Dan.
First names dictionary. 2012.