Shem
The Israeli Names Portal

דן


Meaning of the name דן

The name Dan is one of the most ancient and powerful biblical names in Hebrew culture, carrying profound meanings of justice, judgment, and leadership. The name derives from the Hebrew root D-Y-N, meaning "to judge," "to adjudicate," or "to decide." Dan was the fifth son of Jacob, born to him through Bilhah, the handmaid of his beloved wife Rachel. Rachel, who suffered from prolonged infertility, saw Dan's birth through Bilhah as divine vindication in her favor, thus naming him with the declaration: "God has judged me and has also heard my voice." The tribe of Dan held a unique place in ancient Israelite history. In Jacob's blessing to his sons, Dan is described as "a serpent by the road" and "a viper along the path," symbols of patience, courage, and strategic ability. The tribe became renowned as fierce and brave warriors, and the mighty judge Samson came from this tribe. The city of Dan, which was the northernmost point of the Land of Israel, gave its name to the biblical expression "from Dan to Beersheba," describing the entire borders of the land. The tribe was also known for its artistic skills, particularly in metalwork and weaving, as described in the account of the Tabernacle's construction. Throughout Jewish culture across generations, the name Dan has carried meanings of strength of character, justice, and decisiveness. It symbolizes a person with sound judgment, capable of judging righteously and deciding wisely. The name remains particularly popular in modern Israel due to its brevity, strong and clear sound, and deep historical connections. Dan is a name that combines power and simplicity, tradition and modernity, and suits a person with strong character, clear principles, and natural leadership ability. In the modern era, the name Dan is also common among Jews in the diaspora and among non-Jews, and is considered an international name that is easy to pronounce in many languages.

The name דן with vowels

דָּן

The name דן in English

Dan | Daniel

דן is mainly suitable for

Boy

Is the name דן considered international

Yes

Origin of the name דן from the Bible

Genesis 30:6 - God has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son

Origin of the name דן from Kabbalah

In Kabbalah, the name Dan symbolizes the power of divine judgment and justice. It represents the quality of righteous decision-making and balance between kindness and severity. The name is connected to the Sefirah of Gevurah (Strength) and expresses the need for moral courage and standing by principles. Dan reminds us of the importance of self-judgment and true evaluation of actions, teaching about personal responsibility in life's choices.

Gematria value for the name דן

54

=

4

ד

+

50

ן

Numerology value for the name דן

9

=

4

ד

+

50

ן

=

54

=

5

+

4

=

9

Famous people named דן

Dan Shechtman (Nobel Prize winner) | Dan Aykroyd | Dan Brown | Dan Bilzerian | Dan Stevens | Dan Levy

Names similar to דן

Total times the name דן was registered

11236 times

Graph of the name דן

* Source: Central Bureau of Statistics. As of April 2022

דן — Name Meaning | שֵׁם