Dane

Dane is a demonym for people from Denmark and, more broadly, an ethnonym for the Danish people. In English, a Dane typically refers to someone who is Danish by nationality or ethnicity, while the corresponding adjective for the country is Danish. The term has historical roots in Latin Danus and Old English Dena, reflecting long-standing associations with the Danish realm and its inhabitants.

Dane is also used as a given name. As a short, simple form, it has been used in English-speaking countries since at least the 19th century and remains common in many places today. It can be chosen for its concise sound or for perceived connections to Danish heritage, though such ties are not required. Variants include Dayne and Dain.

Historically, the term Dane appears in discussions of the Viking Age and medieval Northern Europe, where it described inhabitants of Denmark and their activities along the North Sea and Baltic Sea trading networks. In modern usage, it is primarily a geographic or ancestral reference rather than a political identifier.

Notable people with the given name Dane include American comedian Dane Cook (born 1972) and American actor Dane DeHaan (born 1986). The surname Dane exists in various cultures as well, though it is less common than the given-name usage. Overall, Dane remains a versatile term signifying Danish origin or identity, as well as a widely used personal name.