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Daffney

♀ Girl

Pronounced DAF-nee /ˈdæf.ni/Low

Meaning: Daffney is a phonetic respelling of Daphne, the Greek daphne, 'laurel.' In Greek myth Daphne was a nymph turned into a laurel tree to escape Apollo, and the laurel became a symbol of victory; Daffney keeps that meaning in a folksier spelling.Low

In 30 seconds: Daffney is a variant of Daphne, from the Greek for 'laurel.' A late-century American respelling, it is said DAF-nee.

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Origin LowGreek

MeaningDaffney is a phonetic respelling of Daphne, the Greek daphne, 'laurel.' In Greek myth Daphne was a nymph turned into a laurel tree to escape Apollo, and the laurel became a symbol of victory; Daffney keeps that meaning in a folksier spelling.

U.S. rank (2007)#18265 ↘ Falling

2007 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1975

Total births (all-time)≈ 202

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Daffney follows Daphne to the Greek word for the laurel tree, and behind it the myth of the nymph Daphne, changed into laurel to flee Apollo. The victor's laurel wreath gives the name a note of triumph, which Daffney carries in a warmer spelling.

It was never common in this form, given to only about fifteen girls a year at its peak around 1975, while the classic Daphne was far more widely used. Its meaning is Daphne's - the laurel - with only the spelling changed.

Did you know? A girl named Daffney around its peak in 1975 is now in her late forties; the double-f spelling reflects a homespun take on the elegant Greek Daphne.

Overall data confidence 30%

References - Daffney — Variant of Daphne (Greek 'laurel'); meaning inherited; low-moderate confidence.

Variations

DaphneDaphneyDafny

Nicknames

DaffNee

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If you like Daffney…

Daphne— the standard form Daffney respells

Daphney— a like variant spelling

Dahlia— a similar flower-linked girl's name

Delphine— a comparable Greek-rooted girl's name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Daffney mean?

It is a variant of Daphne, from the Greek daphne, 'laurel' - the tree the nymph Daphne became in myth.

How do you pronounce Daffney?

It is said DAF-nee /ˈdæf.ni/ - two syllables.

Is Daffney a boy or girl name?

Daffney is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Daffney?

It was always rare in this spelling, given to only about fifteen girls a year around its peak in the mid nineteen-seventies.