Dafny

♀ Girl

Pronounced DAF-nee /ˈdæf.ni/Medium

Meaning: A spelling of Daphne, Greek for 'laurel; bay tree.' In myth, the nymph Daphne was changed into a laurel to escape Apollo, and the laurel became his emblem — the crown of poets and victors.Medium

In 30 seconds: A spelling of Daphne: Greek for 'laurel,' the victor's crown (said 'DAF-nee').

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningA spelling of Daphne, Greek for 'laurel; bay tree.' In myth, the nymph Daphne was changed into a laurel to escape Apollo, and the laurel became his emblem — the crown of poets and victors.

U.S. rank (2024)#13819 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2006

Total births (all-time)≈ 72

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

Dafny is a phonetic spelling of Daphne, the Greek word for the laurel or bay tree. The myth is famous: fleeing Apollo, the nymph Daphne was transformed into a laurel, and the god took its leaves as his emblem. The name has stayed green ever since. Fresh and classical (said 'DAF-nee').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely, far behind Daphne. Rare, leafy, and mythic.

Did you know? Daphne is the laurel itself — in myth the nymph became the tree, and its leaves went on to crown poets and champions ever after (said 'DAF-nee').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Dafny — Daphne spelling; Greek 'laurel'

Variations

DaphneDafneDaphney

Nicknames

DaffyNee

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Dafny…

Daphne— the standard spelling of the same name

Dafne— the Italian and Spanish form

Delphine— a like Greek-rooted pick

Phoebe— a like Greek myth name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Dafny mean?

Dafny is a spelling of Daphne, Greek for 'laurel; bay tree' — the crown of poets and victors.

How do you pronounce Dafny?

It's said DAF-nee /ˈdæf.ni/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Dafny a boy or girl name?

Dafny is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Dafny?

Dafny is very rare in the U.S., far behind Daphne.