Dan is a Hebrew name meaning "he judged," derived from the verb din (דִּין) meaning "to judge." In the Old Testament, Dan is the fifth son of Jacob and Bilhah, the servant of Jacob's wife Rachel. According to Genesis 30:6, Rachel named him Dan, saying, "God has vindicated me; he has listened to my plea and given me a son." Biblical SignificanceDan is the founder of the Tribe of Dan, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe settled in the northern part of Canaan, and its territory included the city of Laish, which the Danites conquered and renamed Dan (Judges 18:29). The tribe is also associated with Samson, one of the judges of Israel, who was a Danite. Notable BearersIn modern times, the name Dan is widely used in English Bibles and Jewish communities. Notable bearers include Dan Aykroyd (Canadian actor and comedian), Dan Brown (author of The Da Vinci Code), and Dan Rather (American journalist). Variants and Related NamesFeminine forms of Dan include Dina (Biblical Hebrew), Dana (Hebrew), and Danya (Hebrew). The name is also related to roots such as Jacob and has been used in various forms across cultures, including as a surname in Chinese contexts (e.g., Yuen Dan Kam). Meaning: "he judged"Origin: HebrewUsage: Hebrew, English Bible, Hebrew BibleGender: Masculine