Daniel in Chinese
Daniel in Chinese is 丹尼尔 (Dān Ní Ěr).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- God is my judge
The name traces back to Hebrew sources, where it is usually explained as "God is my judge". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1980s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Danielle, Daniela, Danny.
3 ways to write Daniel
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
丹尼尔
Dān Ní Ěr
The standard transliteration of Daniel: 丹 (dān, "red; cinnabar; sincere heart"), 尼 (ní, "Buddhist nun (phonetic 'ni')"), 尔 (ěr, "you (classical); phonetic 'r/l'"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 3 characters: 丹 dān + 尼 ní + 尔 ěr. The tone contour is 1-2-3 (high level, rising, dipping).
Character breakdown
14 strokes total (simplified)- 丹
dān
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
red; cinnabar; sincere heart
- 尼
ní
Tone 2 · 5 strokes (simplified)
Buddhist nun (phonetic 'ni')
- 尔
ěr
Tone 3 · 5 strokes (simplified)
you (classical); phonetic 'r/l'
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Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
天恩
Tiān Ēn
Inspired by "God is my judge": 天 (tiān, "heaven, sky") + 恩 (ēn, "grace, kindness"), expressing blessing and divine protection.
Why these characters?
Because Daniel is linked to "God", the name leads with 天 (heaven, sky); 恩 (grace, kindness) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
14 strokes total (simplified)- 天
tiān
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
heaven, sky
- 恩
ēn
Tone 1 · 10 strokes (simplified)
grace, kindness
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
丹瑞
Dān Ruì
丹 (dān, "red; cinnabar; sincere heart") + 瑞 (ruì, "auspicious, lucky"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 丹 (dān), the same opening character as the transliteration 丹尼尔, for the "da" sound, and replaces the rest with 瑞 ("auspicious, lucky") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
17 strokes total (simplified)- 丹
dān
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
red; cinnabar; sincere heart
- 瑞
ruì
Tone 4 · 13 strokes (simplified)
auspicious, lucky
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Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Daniel
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Daniel ranked 15 among names recorded for boys, with 52,726 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 1,907,357 boys named Daniel since 1880, with the high point in 1985 (38,541 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it held roughly steady, from #5 to #15 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1985
- Peak decade
- 1980s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 1,907,357
More About Daniel in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Daniel offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Daniel, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Danielle in Chinese, Daniela in Chinese, and Danny in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Danielle in Chinese, Daniela in Chinese, and Danny in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Michael in Chinese, Christopher in Chinese, Matthew in Chinese, Joshua in Chinese, and David in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Daniel, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Daniel to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Daniel in Chinese characters?
丹尼尔 (Dān Ní Ěr), or 丹尼爾 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 丹尼尔 have?
14 strokes in simplified form and 23 in traditional; per character: 丹 4, 尼 5, 尔 5.
Is Daniel written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 丹尼尔 becomes 丹尼爾; the changed characters are 尔→爾. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.