What Does The Name Daphne Mean?

Daphne is only a girl's name. It is a Greek origin and it literally means "laurel tree". It is pronounced as DAFF-nee. In terms of mythology it refers to righteous Daphne was a fairy that was changed into a laurel tree figure to defend her from Apollo. In the United States it was considered to be a slave name. The Swedish form of this name differs a little. In Swedish it is written as Dafne. The twelve different forms of this name are Daffi, Daffie, Daffy, Dafna, Dafne, Dafnee, Dafneigh, Dafnie, Danfy, Daphna, Daphney and Daphnie. Some other similar names are Davine, Davonne, Davina, Davynn, Daviane and Divine.

This is an ancient Greek name meaning "laurel." (Laurel is also occasionally used as a given name in modern times.) In Greek mythology, Daphne was the name of a nymph who was pursued by the god Apollo. Her father, a river god, changed her into a laurel bush to save her from him. The name has strong associations with ancient Greece due to the symbolic importance of laurel, or bay, as a laurel wreath was given to the victor in the Olympic games or offered as a mark of achievement, especially in poetry. Even today, we have a "poet Laureate" whose task is to create verses to mark national occasions; and the saying "to rest on your laurels" is still in use, meaning to rely on past achievements instead of striving for new ones.

Daphne was a common name in the 19th century. It is rare today, though fans of the sitcom "Frasier" may remember it as the name of the eccentric houekeeper/therapist. Famous Daphnes include the late novelist Daphne Du Maurier, author of "Rebecca" and other best-sellers.