Meaning & History
Daniela is the feminine form of Daniel, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge". It is widely used across many languages, including Bulgarian, Czech, English, German, Italian, Macedonian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, and Spanish. The name has biblical roots, as Daniel was a Hebrew prophet whose story is told in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. He lived during the Jewish captivity in Babylon, serving in the king's court and interpreting dreams, and the book also contains his visions of the end times.
Popularity and Variants
Daniela gained popularity especially in Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian countries due to the veneration of several saints named Daniel. Its spread throughout Europe was influenced by cultural exchange and the popularity of the male counterpart. Variants include Daniele 2 (Portuguese Brazilian), Daniella (English), and Danielle (French). Diminutives such as Dania (Italian), Dana (Romanian), Danuše (Czech), Danuška (Czech), Danka (Slovak), and Danna (English) are also common.
Notable Bearers
Many notable women bear the name Daniela. Examples include:
- Daniela Bianchi (born 1942), Italian actress best known for playing a Bond girl in From Russia with Love.
- Daniela Mercury, Brazilian singer and songwriter.
- Daniela Karola Bártová (born 1974), Czech pole vaulter.
- Daniela Anschütz-Thoms (born 1974), German speed skater and Olympic gold medalist.
Across other languages, related forms include Danijela (Slovene), Daniëlle (Dutch), and Danièle (French).
Key Facts
- Meaning: Feminine form of Daniel.
- Origin: Hebrew through the biblical prophet Daniel.
- Type: Feminine given name.
- Usage Regions: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain & Latin America, English-speaking countries.
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Daniela