Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home โ€บ Baby Names Directory โ€บ Dani

Dani

โ™€ Girl

Pronounced DAN-ee /หˆdรฆn.i/High

Meaning: Short form of Daniela or Danielle, from the Hebrew Daniel (ื“ึธึผื ึดื™ึตึผืืœ), meaning 'God is my judge' (dan = judge + el = God); the feminine short form has become widely used as a standalone nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Dani is the breezy, confident short form of Daniela or Danielle meaning 'God is my judge.' Cool and immediately approachable, it has a strong, sporty feel that makes it equally at home as a nickname or a complete given name.
๐Ÿ’• Browse more names
Origin HighHebrew
MeaningShort form of Daniela or Danielle, from the Hebrew Daniel (ื“ึธึผื ึดื™ึตึผืืœ), meaning 'God is my judge' (dan = judge + el = God); the feminine short form has become widely used as a standalone name
U.S. rank (2025)#747 โ†˜ Falling
2025 U.S. births364 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)โ‰ˆ 10,334

Popularity in the U.S. ยท SSA data

peak 202219422025

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

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

History & Origin

Dani is a diminutive of Daniela or Danielle, the feminine forms of the Hebrew Daniel. Daniel was a 6th-century BCE prophet who interpreted the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar and survived the lion's den. The feminine forms became popular in Europe through Catholic naming traditions.

Dani has been used in the United States as a standalone name for girls since the late 20th century, particularly popular in the 1990s and 2000s. It carries a sporty, confident energy and is appreciated for its short, punchy quality that bridges nickname and given name seamlessly.

Did you know? The prophet Daniel, from whose name Dani derives, was famous for interpreting dreams and surviving the lion's den. His Hebrew name Dan-El carries the idea that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice โ€” giving Dani a quietly powerful theological meaning beneath its casual exterior.
Overall data confidence 93%
Behind the Name โ€” Dani โ€” etymology and usageU.S. Social Security Administration โ€” popularity data

Variations

DanielleDanielaDanny

Nicknames

Dan

Famous Bearers

  • โ˜…Dani Alves (1983-)
    Brazilian professional footballer who played for Barcelona
  • โ˜…Dani Pedrosa (1985-)
    Spanish former MotoGP motorcycle racer
  • โ˜…Dani Harmer (1989-)
    English actress known for the title role in Tracy Beaker
  • โ˜…Dani Olmo (1998-)
    Spanish professional footballer

If you like Daniโ€ฆ

Demiโ€” shares the crisp two-syllable nickname-quality with the same friendly confidence
Ariโ€” shares the short, punchy nickname-as-name quality and the same modern confidence
Danniโ€” shares Dani's Hebrew roots
Gianniโ€” another Hebrew name
Elaniโ€” another Hebrew name

Explore names like Dani

By thememodernhebrewnickname-nameshort-formsporty
By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Dani mean?

Dani means 'God is my judge' as a short form of Daniela, from the Hebrew Daniel (dan = judge + el = God).

How do you pronounce Dani?

Dani is pronounced DAN-ee /หˆdรฆn.i/ โ€” two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Dani a full name or a nickname?

Dani is used both as a standalone given name and as a nickname for Daniela or Danielle.

Is Dani more commonly a boys or girls name?

Dani is used for both, but with the -i ending it leans more feminine. This entry is for girls. The Danny spelling is more associated with boys.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Ask Nia