What does Phoebe mean?
From the Greek Phoibe, “bright” or “radiant,” a name of the moon in myth.
What does Daphne mean?
From Greek 'daphne' (δάφνη) meaning 'laurel, bay tree'. In myth the nymph Daphne was transformed into a laurel to escape Apollo.
Phoebe vs Daphne
Which is more popular?
Phoebe is more popular than Daphne today: about 1,885 US babies were given the name Phoebe in 2025, compared with 1,740 named Daphne.
| Phoebe | Daphne | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Bright, radiant | Laurel |
| Origin | Greek | greek |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | FEE-bee | DAF-nee |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1886 |
| Peak year | 2025 (1,885) | 2025 (1,740) |
| In 2025 | 1,885 | 1,740 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Phoebe
Daphne
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Phoebe | Daphne |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 8,928 | 7,562 |
| 2010s | 10,645 | 7,768 |
| 2000s | 8,085 | 5,126 |
| 1990s | 3,288 | 2,519 |
| 1980s | 1,123 | 2,699 |
| 1970s | 1,134 | 4,827 |
| 1960s | 1,064 | 6,933 |
| 1950s | 1,092 | 2,789 |
| 1940s | 1,230 | 1,321 |
| 1930s | 1,404 | 764 |
| 1920s | 1,851 | 1,057 |
| 1910s | 1,601 | 498 |
| 1900s | 719 | 162 |
| 1890s | 848 | 131 |
| 1880s | 646 | 26 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Phoebe or Daphne more popular?
Phoebe is more popular than Daphne today: about 1,885 US babies were given the name Phoebe in 2025, compared with 1,740 named Daphne.
What is the difference between Phoebe and Daphne?
Phoebe means Bright, radiant (Greek origin), while Daphne means Laurel (greek origin).
Which name is older, Phoebe or Daphne?
In US records, Phoebe first appears in 1880 and Daphne in 1886, so Phoebe has the longer recorded history.