Danae
Girl name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Danae: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 2002.
Danae reaches back to Greek mythology, where she was the princess of Argos imprisoned by her father, only to be visited by Zeus as a shower of gold and become mother to the hero Perseus. The name’s meaning remains uncertain, possibly from Greek *danaos* meaning “parched” or *danai* meaning “she who judges.” Beyond the myth, the name has been borne by a few modern figures, including the American actress Danae Davis and the Greek saint Danae of the early church. There are no direct place-name connections, though the root word appears in ancient references to the Danaans (the Greeks of Homeric legend). A cultural note: the name appears in Botticelli’s 15th-century painting of the myth and has seen quiet revival in recent decades, giving it a lyrical, artistic appeal for parents drawn to classical yet uncommon names in Scotland.
Girl 1 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 20023 babies
- Latest (2002)
- #6403 babies
- Total births
- 3since 2002
- 5-year trend
- ≈ stablevs prior 5y