The Baby Name Wizard

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Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Daphne!

Comments and insights on the name Daphne: | Edit

This name is absolutley beautiful and underused. This is my number one name for a baby girl.

Personal experiences with the name Daphne: | Edit

In my experience as a Daphne: Lots of people think of it as French (when actually it's Greek) or comment that the name is pretty and old-fashioned. Also, up until the late 1990s I often had to repeat or spell the name, or clarify that I was not "Stephanie" or even "Cathy." But now more people recognize it. I credit Frasier and the Scooby Doo movie.

My great-grandmother was called Daphne. I always thought the name was comically old-fashioned.

My great aunt was named Daphne, she was my mother's favorite aunt and they were very close. She always went with Dap, which I've always thought is cute nickname for Daphne that I've never heard any other Daphnes use. Not Daph but Dap, even though she was my great aunt, I always thought her nickname sounded young and sporty. If I ever ues the name in honor of my Aunt Dap, I can definitely see using her nickname too, especially if my daughter is a spunky girl just like she was. :)

Nicknames for Daphne: | Edit

Daph
Daphy
Fifi
Dee
Dap
Daffodil

Meanings and history of the name Daphne: | Edit

Incredible smelling spring flower (a kind of laurel)
Daphne was a nymph who, when pursued by the amorous Apollo, turned into a laurel tree to escape him. Variations on the story are here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daphne

Famous real-life people named Daphne: | Edit

Daphne du Maurier, English novelist
Daphne Zuniga, American actress, best known for her role as Jo in the 90s TV series "Melrose Place"
Daphne Maxwell Reid, African-American actress
Daphné, French singer sometimes called "the French Björk"
Daphne Guinness, English artist and journalist
Daphne Oram, English musician
Daphne Sheldrick, Kenyan conservationist
Daphne Patai, feminist and author

Daphne in song, story & screen: | Edit

Daphne Blake is the red-haired member of the "Scooby Doo" cartoon TV show. She was played by Sarah Michelle Gellar in the "Scooby-Doo" and "Scooby-Doo 2" films.

Daphne Powell, the 15-year-old daughter of Jim and Stephanie Powell in the t.v series 'No Ordinary Family', with the power of telepathy.

"Daphne Descends", song by The Smashing Pumpkins.

Daphne Moon, Martin's British physical therapist in the 90s sitcom Frasier.

Daphne Milbrook, character on the TV show "Heroes" who has the ability of superhuman speed.

Daphne Bridgerton, heroine of regency romance novel "The Duke and I" by Julia Quinn

Daphne Hatzilakos, a character in the Canadian television series "Degrassi: The Next Generation"

Daphne Vasquez, teen character from ABC Family's "Switched at Birth"