Name Meaning & Legal Status · Spain

Daniel Name: Meaning, Origin & Spain Legal Status

Showing legal status, local spelling and registration process for Spain specifically. Each of the 7 country pages for Daniel contains different data — see the comparison table below.

What does the name Daniel mean?

The name Daniel means "God is my judge". It is of Hebrew origin and is most commonly given to boys across Europe.

Pronunciation in Spanish: dah-nee-EHL. Pronunciation varies slightly by region, but this is the form most commonly heard in Spain.

Is Daniel approved in Spain? Daniel is accepted as a baby name in Spain. Read on for the full origin, Spanish spelling variants, popularity ranking, and the registration process at the Registro Civil.

Is Daniel approved in Spain?

Daniel is accepted as a baby name in Spain. Generally accepted under naming law, without special conditions.

The name Daniel: origin and meaning

Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge". It has travelled across Europe for centuries — its earliest bearer in the Christian tradition is Prophet Daniel (Old Testament), and in modern times it has become widely recognised through cultural figures such as Daniel Craig (British actor), Daniel Defoe (author of Robinson Crusoe).

In Spain, the name connects to Prophet Daniel (Old Testament), which keeps it firmly embedded in the Catholic naming tradition and the local saints' calendar.

Popularity of Daniel in Spain

Popular choice: typically ranks around #10 in the Spain top 30.

Our database covers approximately 8,500 names recorded in Spain. You can cross-check Daniel against this full dataset — along with naming patterns in the 24 other European countries we track — using our free name checker.

Spanish spelling and variants of Daniel

In Spain, Daniel is used with its standard international spelling. No adaptation or translation is required — the name is recognised and accepted as written.

Naming rules in Spain

Spain regulates baby names through the Registro Civil under the Ley 20/2011 del Registro Civil. Spain has one of the most permissive naming frameworks in Europe — parents have wide freedom, and refusals are rare and reserved for names that could genuinely harm the child.

For the name Daniel specifically: Generally accepted under naming law, without special conditions.

How to verify before registering

1. Use our free checker — verify Daniel against our database of names actually registered in Spain.
2. Call your local Registro Civil — Registrars can confirm whether Daniel has been accepted locally before you book the registration appointment. This is especially helpful when using a rare spelling.
3. Bring supporting evidence — If the name is unusual, prepare documents: a parent's passport showing the same name, a prior birth certificate, or a reference to a historical/religious figure. This makes a difference if the case escalates.
4. Read the full legal guide — See our complete article on baby name laws in Spain for the full legal background.

Similar boy names approved in Spain

If Daniel is not exactly what you are looking for, these boy names share a similar European tradition and are commonly accepted in Spain:

Frequently asked questions about Daniel

Compare Daniel with the other 6 European countries

The data for Daniel is different in each country — different authority, different deadline, different local spelling. Open any of the 6 sibling pages below:

Related resources

Last updated: May 2026. Information is provided for orientation only and does not constitute legal advice. Always confirm with the Registro Civil.