Dan
Say it: DAN/dæn/
BoyMeans usually explained as "judge"3 letters1 syllable
#286
in Ireland (2025)
#276 with spellings combined
15
babies in 2025
#205
best rank (2005)
495
babies since 1974
Down 19
10-year rank change
Dan through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | #276 |
| 2024 | 8 | #413 |
| 2023 | 21 | #214 |
| 2022 | 17 | #266 |
| 2021 | 24 | #209 |
| 2020 | 22 | #216 |
| 2019 | 24 | #214 |
| 2018 | 16 | #280 |
| 2017 | 18 | #263 |
| 2016 | 23 | #229 |
| 2015 | 19 | #257 |
| 2014 | 27 | #215 |
| 2013 | 15 | #296 |
| 2012 | 27 | #215 |
| 2011 | 21 | #245 |
| 2010 | 17 | #278 |
| 2009 | 21 | #247 |
| 2008 | 17 | #267 |
| 2007 | 10 | #326 |
| 2006 | 10 | #296 |
| 2005 | 17 | #205 |
| 2004 | 11 | #244 |
| 2003 | 14 | #207 |
| 2002 | 7 | #292 |
| 2001 | 10 | #226 |
| 2000 | 9 | #223 |
| 1999 | 3 | #379 |
| 1996 | 3 | #369 |
| 1995 | 5 | #281 |
| 1994 | 7 | #237 |
| 1993 | 6 | #255 |
| 1992 | 5 | #267 |
| 1988 | 4 | #271 |
| 1987 | 3 | #303 |
| 1984 | 4 | #274 |
| 1982 | 7 | #235 |
| 1977 | 4 | #293 |
| 1974 | 4 | #288 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Dan mean?
Usually explained as "judge"
Hebrew, the name of a son of Jacob, and a short form of Daniel.
Say it right
DAN
The story of Dan
Dan has two roots that meet in one short name. In the Book of Genesis, Dan is the fifth son of Jacob, and his name is usually linked to a Hebrew word for judging. He gave his name to one of the tribes of Israel. Much more often, though, Dan is simply the short form of Daniel, which is usually explained as “God is my judge”.
Daniel has been familiar in Ireland for a long time, and plenty of Irish men christened Daniel have been known as Dan all their lives. Only a small number of parents put Dan itself on the birth certificate.
It first reached the CSO list in 1974. Its best rank was number 205 in 2005, and its busiest year was 2012, with 27 boys. In 2025, 15 boys were registered as Dan.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Dan (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Dan (name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
Danny
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Dan | 15 | 495 |
In Northern Ireland
#344 in 2025 with 4 babies. Best rank #200 (2023); 113 babies since 2001.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.