Daunte
A boy's name of Italian origin with 1,563 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Daunte has 1,563 recorded U.S. births across 50+ years, peaking at 159 in 2001. It occupies the space between “never heard of it” and “everyone has one in their class” — a name that feels personal without being obscure.
In the most recent SSA release, Daunte ranks #10091 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Daunte is a boy's baby name of Italian origin, a variant of Dante — from the medieval Italian name Durante meaning 'enduring' or 'steadfast,' from the Latin durare (to endure). Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) gave this name eternal literary prestige through The Divine Comedy, one of the greatest works of world literature.
Daunte's spelling acknowledges Dante's sound while giving it an American, phonetic form. NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper brought this spelling into sports culture. A name for parents who love the Italian literary giant but want a more distinctly personal form.
EtymologyShow more
Daunte first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1974. First appearing in the 1970s, Daunte emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Italian classification suggests a path from italian linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Daunte was #1448 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #10091, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 44 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 163 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 857 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 258 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 187 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 54 | — |
The Story of Daunte
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2001, Daunte is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Daunte are most likely born between 1991 and 2011.
How rare is Daunte?
Only about 1 in every 514,286 babies born in 2024 was named Daunte — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1974, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 857 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Daunte by the numbers
- Would fill 33 school buses
- Meeting one Daunte per day would take 4.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(50 years, 1974–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | #10091 |
| 2023 | 7 | #9965 |
| 2022 | 11 | #7375 |
| 2021 | 13 | #6411 |
| 2020 | 6 | #10906 |
| 2019 | 12 | #6865 |
| 2018 | 16 | #5592 |
| 2017 | 12 | #6772 |
| 2016 | 12 | #6812 |
| 2015 | 13 | #6412 |
| 2014 | 12 | #6728 |
| 2013 | 16 | #5442 |
| 2012 | 20 | #4731 |
| 2011 | 26 | #3913 |
| 2010 | 24 | #4137 |
| 2009 | 36 | #3175 |
| 2008 | 45 | #2723 |
| 2007 | 72 | #1957 |
| 2006 | 87 | #1644 |
| 2005 | 108 | #1382 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1974–2024