daan

Daan is a male given name of Dutch origin. In the Netherlands and Flanders, it is commonly used as a stand-alone name, though it originated as a diminutive form of Daniël and is often associated with the Hebrew name Daniyyel.

Etymology and usage: Daniël means “God is my judge.” Daan has been a popular name in Dutch-speaking regions since the late 20th century, frequently appearing among popular names for boys in the Netherlands and Belgium. Variants and related forms include Daniël and Daniel; Daan is sometimes a nickname for Daniël but is widely used as an independent given name in its own right.

Cultural and regional notes: The name is most common in Dutch-speaking communities, with usage extending to the Dutch-speaking diaspora. While primarily a given name, Daan may occasionally appear in other contexts as a personal name, and it is distinct from surnames or place names in ordinary usage. The name is associated with a variety of individuals in sports, arts, and academia, reflecting its broad acceptability in Dutch-speaking regions. See also: Daniël and Daniel as related forms.