Dafne

Dafne represents the Italian and Spanish variant of the Ancient Greek name Daphne (Δάφνη), which means 'the laurel'. The name has its roots in Greek mythology.

What does the name Dafne mean?

Dafne is the Italian and Spanish variant of the Ancient Greek name Daphne (Δάφνη) with the translation 'the laurel'. In Greek mythology, Daphne is described as a nymph who is pursued by Apollo. To escape his affection, her father transforms her into a laurel tree. The form Dafne is especially common in Spanish-speaking regions, but is also appreciated in Italy and the Netherlands. Notable people with this name include Spanish actress Dafne Fernández and British-Spanish actress Dafne Keen. Other variants of the name are Daphine, Dafna, Dafni, and Defne.

Where does the name Dafne come from?

The etymology of Dafne is Ancient Greek and means 'the laurel'. Its origin lies in the Ancient Greek word dáphnē (δᾰ́φνη), which means laurel. The languages in which the name is prevalent include Italian, Spanish, Dutch, and Latin American.

How do you pronounce Dafne?

The sound and pronunciation of Dafne are characterized by its two-syllable structure. In German, the name is usually pronounced as 'Daf-ne' [ˈdafnə]. It begins with an open 'Daf', which gains a slight sharpness from the 'f'. The second syllable '-ne' provides a gentle ending. This combination gives Dafne a modern and distinctive touch – striking at the beginning and harmonious in overall sound.

Popularity

In Germany, Dafne is a fairly common first name. The name currently ranks 4,045th in the list of the most common female first names. Its highest ranking was in 2016, reaching 1,954th place. In the last ten years, Dafne has been given as a first name about 40 times, placing it 4,008th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 4,974th.

Nicknames & pet names

Daf / Daphne / Daphy

Similar first names

Famous people

• Dafne Fernandez (actress from Spain)
• Dafne Keen (actress, born 2005)
• Dafne Schippers (sprinter from the Netherlands)