Skip to content
GirlHebrew

Daniella

DAN-YEL-AH

Daniella is a feminine form of Daniel, from the Hebrew name Daniyel, composed of din or dan (to judge) and el (God), yielding the meaning God is my judge. The name carries a sense of divine justice and moral accountability that has resonated across cultures and centuries. The double-l spelling gives it an elegant, elongated quality that feels both warm and distinguished.

PopularityStable
8Letters
3Syllables

At a glance

A feminine and elegant form of Daniel meaning God is my judge, popular across the English-speaking world and offering the beloved nickname Dani.

Etymology & History

Daniella is one of several feminine forms derived from the Hebrew Daniel, which appears in the Old Testament as the name of the prophet Daniel. The Hebrew root combines dan (judge) with el (God). Feminine forms of Daniel developed across multiple languages: Danielle in French, Daniela in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, and Daniella as an anglicised variant with the Italian double-l spelling. The name entered widespread English use in the 20th century and has remained consistently popular since the 1970s.

Cultural Significance

The Book of Daniel is one of the most dramatic narratives in the Hebrew Bible, featuring the lion's den, visions of apocalypse, and unwavering faith under persecution. These themes of courage and trust in divine justice have made Daniel and its feminine forms deeply resonant across Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. The name Daniel is venerated as a prophet in Islam, and Daniella carries this spiritual heritage into feminine form. In popular culture the name has been widely embraced across Europe, Latin America, and the English-speaking world, reflecting its adaptability across cultures.

Famous people named Daniella

Daniella Westbrook

British actress best known for her long-running role as Sam Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders

Daniella Chávez

Chilean model and media personality who has become a prominent public figure in Latin America

Frequently Asked Questions

Daniella with a double l is an anglicised or Italian-influenced spelling, while Daniela with a single l is the standard Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Czech, and Slovak form. Both are equally valid. The double-l spelling tends to be favoured in English-speaking countries and gives the name a slightly more elaborate written appearance.

Daniella has been a consistently well-used name in the UK since the 1980s. It is not in the top ten but maintains steady popularity in the highly popular. Its familiarity makes it easy to spell and recognise, while it avoids being overused to the point of feeling common.

Dani is by far the most popular and widely used nickname, and has become a stand-alone name in its own right. Ella is a charming alternative that uses the final syllables of the name. Dania and Nelly are less common but affectionate options used in some families.

Yes. The name has Hebrew origins and appears in Jewish scripture, holds a venerated figure in Christianity, and Daniel is recognised as a prophet in Islam as well. This makes Daniella a name that carries spiritual resonance across the three Abrahamic faiths while being entirely secular in everyday use.

Danielle is the French feminine form and was extremely popular in the UK and US during the 1980s and 1990s. Daniella has a slightly more Italian-influenced feel and the double-l spelling gives it a touch of extra elegance. Today Daniella tends to feel slightly fresher than Danielle, which is more associated with the previous generation.

Daniella's four syllables mean shorter middle names work best to create a balanced full name. Rose, Grace, May, Faith, and Claire are all excellent choices. Faith has a particularly pleasing thematic resonance with the name's biblical meaning.

The meaning, God is my judge, comes from the prophet Daniel's story of steadfast faith in the face of persecution. It implies that human judgement is secondary to divine justice, a concept of deep importance in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic theology. For religious families this meaning carries significant weight.

Dani works perfectly well as a standalone name and is increasingly given as such. However, having Daniella on the birth certificate gives a child the option of the full formal name for professional or ceremonial contexts, while using Dani every day. This flexibility is one of Daniella's great practical advantages.
Explore more

Names like Daniella

Girl

Daniela

“God is my judge”

Daniela is the Italian and Spanish feminine form of Daniel, ultimately from the Hebrew name Daniyyel meaning 'God is my judge'. The name combines the Hebrew words 'din' (judge) and 'El' (God). It carries a strong, confident meaning while sounding melodic and feminine. The name has been consistently popular across Southern Europe, Latin America, and increasingly in English-speaking countries.

Origin: Italian
Girl

Danielle

“God is my judge”

Danielle is the French feminine form of Daniel, a Hebrew name meaning God is my judge. The name entered French usage in the early twentieth century and reached peak popularity in France during the 1950s and 1960s, coinciding with a generation of prominent French women bearing the name. It carries a strong, classic quality that balances the strength of its biblical meaning with the elegance of its French form. The two syllables Da-nielle give it a distinctive rhythmic flow.

Origin: English
Appears in

Where you'll find Daniella

Daniella shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.

Lists

Biblical Girl NamesHebrew Girl NamesThree-syllable Girl NamesGirl Names Starting With D

Meaning hubs

Names meaning grace