Is Daenerys a boy's or girl's name?

Daenerys is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 5 recorded births.

When was Daenerys most popular?

Daenerys reached its peak popularity in 2018 with 166 births that year. It is currently ranked #1554 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Daenerys?

Daenerys is currently ranked #1554 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 1,356 babies since 2012.

Daenerys

An uncommon American pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysAmericanRising fast Also a pet name

#1554▲ 103in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name originating as a coinage, of modern usage.

Daenerys is a girl's and boy's baby name of American origin, created by author George R.R. Martin for A Song of Ice and Fire and its HBO adaptation Game of Thrones. Daenerys Targaryen — the Mother of Dragons — is one of the most compelling characters in modern fantasy, combining vulnerability with extraordinary power.

Daenerys is a name born entirely from fictional mythology, yet it carries the weight of a character who conquered cities and bonded with dragons. Parents who choose it are declaring allegiance to a story and a character — a name with no historical precedent but enormous cultural resonance.

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Popularity Over Time

Daenerys has 13+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2012.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Daenerys
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	577	#1779	▼
2010s	779	#2493	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(13 years, 2012–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Daenerys
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	136	#1554	+11 (8.8%)
2023	125	#1657	+2 (1.6%)
2022	123	#1695	+15 (13.9%)
2021	108	#1851	+23 (27.1%)
2020	85	#2137	-59 (-41.0%)
2019	144	#1509	-22 (-13.3%)
2018	166	#1359	+55 (49.5%)
2017	111	#1845	+10 (9.9%)
2016	101	#1975	+19 (23.2%)
2015	82	#2283	-4 (-4.7%)
2014	86	#2202	+18 (26.5%)
2013	68	#2605	+47 (223.8%)
2012	21	#6164	—

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Daenerys as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Daenerys has also been given to 5 boys in the U.S. since 2019.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

2019

Peak year

Compare Daenerys as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Daenerys be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Daenerys is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #1554. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Daenerys has two lives

Daenerys, the baby name

#1554girls

1,356 babies

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Daenerys, the pet name

#2627pet name

34 pets

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (2012–2024) · Methodology