The name Dante originated in the Italian Renaissance period and derives from the Italian short form of the Latin name Durans, meaning "enduring" or "lasting." The name's roots can be traced back to the Late Latin name Durant, which itself comes from the Latin word durans, meaning "enduring" or "lasting."

The name Dante first gained widespread recognition and popularity due to the Italian poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), widely considered the father of the Italian language and one of the greatest poets of the Middle Ages. His epic poem, the Divine Comedy, is regarded as one of the greatest works of world literature and has had a profound influence on Western culture.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Dante can be found in the 14th century, when it was mentioned in Dante Alighieri's own writings. The name gained further prominence during the Italian Renaissance, when it was associated with humanist scholars and artists.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Dante. These include the Italian painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882), a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, and the American novelist Dante Alighieri Barca (1854-1924), who wrote under the pen name Victor Seaside.

Another famous bearer of the name was the Italian composer Dante Ferretti (1908-1982), who composed several operas and ballets. The name Dante has also been associated with figures in the world of science, such as the Italian physicist Dante Bini (1928-2017), known for his contributions to the study of gravitational waves.

In the realm of politics, the name Dante has been borne by figures such as the Italian politician Dante Capello (1883-1957), who served as Prime Minister of Italy in the 1920s, and the American politician Dante Fascell (1917-1998), a long-serving member of the United States House of Representatives from Florida.