Dan

Dan is a masculine given name, often used as a short form of Daniel, though it is also established as an independent name in its own right. Its origin is Hebrew, derived from the root that appears in Daniel, meaning “God is my judge.” In the Hebrew Bible, Dan is the name of one of Jacob’s twelve sons, the eponymous founder of the Tribe of Dan, and the name appears in ancient Israelite geography and history, including sites such as Tel Dan.

In modern usage, Dan is common in English-speaking countries and widely recognized in many other languages as either a standalone name or a nickname for Daniel. It is typically used for males, though naming practices vary by culture. The name is also found in various forms and diminutives across different regions.

Notable people named Dan include actors Dan Aykroyd and Dan Lauria, author Dan Brown, broadcaster Dan Rather, football quarterback Dan Marino, and former U.S. vice president Dan Quayle, whose legal given name is James but who is widely known as Dan. In fiction, characters named Dan appear across literature, film, and television, reflecting the name’s broad familiarity and versatility. Geographic references include Tel Dan, an archaeological site in northern Israel associated with the ancient city of Laish, illustrating the historical depth of the name beyond its contemporary use.