Dannen
From the French name "Daniien", meaning "God is my judge".
Name Census estimates that about 4 living Americans carry the first name Dannen. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Dannen today is around 65 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Dannen births was 1968 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Dannen. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Dannen. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
4
~ 1 in 85,688,585 Americans
Peak year
1968
5 babies that year
Average age
65
years old
1968 SSA rank
#4,256
Tracked since 1968
Popularity
Dannen: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Dannen by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Dannen during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Dannen
The name Dannen is believed to have originated from the Dutch language, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is thought to be a variant of the Dutch name "Daan," which itself is derived from the biblical name "Daniel." In the Old Testament, Daniel was a Hebrew prophet known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Dannen can be found in the 14th century Dutch manuscript "De Rijmbijbel," a rhymed translation of the Bible. In this text, the character Daniel is referred to as "Dannen," indicating that the name was in use during this time period in the Low Countries region.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Dannen. One of the earliest was Dannen van Ryssel (1380-1448), a Flemish painter and manuscript illuminator who was active in the early 15th century. His intricate and highly detailed works can still be found in various European libraries and museums.
Another prominent figure was Dannen Pitz (1572-1638), a German astronomer and mathematician who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics. He is particularly known for his work on planetary motion and his collaboration with Johannes Kepler.
In the realm of literature, Dannen Louwerse (1654-1717) was a Dutch poet and playwright whose works were highly influential in the Golden Age of Dutch literature. His satirical plays and biting social commentary earned him both praise and criticism during his lifetime.
Moving into the 19th century, Dannen Korff (1818-1892) was a German lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Prussian House of Representatives. He was a vocal advocate for liberal reforms and played a significant role in the emerging democratic movements of his time.
Lastly, Dannen Renault (1865-1944) was a French sculptor and artist known for his works depicting scenes from rural life and the natural world. His sculptures can be found in various public spaces and museums across France, showcasing his skill in capturing the essence of everyday subjects.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Dannen, highlighting its enduring presence and diverse cultural influences.
People
Dannen + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Dannen as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with D
Other first names starting with D with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Dannen: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Dannen?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 4 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Dannen going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 85,688,585 US residents.
Is Dannen a common name?
We classify Dannen as "Very Rare". It ranks above 6.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Dannen most popular?
The single biggest year for Dannen was 1968, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Dannen is about 65 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Dannen in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Dannen a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Dannen in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Dannen still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Dannen in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Dannen can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Dannen?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.