Daniel

Daniel is a masculine given name and a surname of Hebrew origin. It means, "God is my judge", and derives from two early biblical figures, primary among them Daniel from the Book of Daniel. It is a common given name for males, and is also used as a surname. It is also the basis for various derived given names and surnames.

Background

The name evolved into over 100 different spellings in countries around the world. Nicknames (Dan, Danny) are common in both English and Hebrew, although in some instances "Dan" may be a complete given name rather than a nickname. The name "Daniil" (Даниил) is common in Russia. Feminine versions (Danielle, Daniela, Daniella, Dani, Danitza) are prevalent as well. The Dutch names "Daan" and "Daniël" are also variations of Daniel. A related surname developed as a patronymic, Daniels. Other surnames derived from "Daniel" include McDaniel and Danielson.

In the United States, the U.S. Social Security Administration reports that Daniel has peaked as the fifth most popular name for newborns in 1985, 1990, 2007, and 2008. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that in the 2000 census, "Daniels" was the 182nd most common surname in the U.S., while "McDaniel" was ranked at 323, and "Daniel" (without a final "s") was ranked at 380.

Clifton Daniel

Elbert Clifton Daniel Jr. (September 19, 1912 – February 21, 2000) was managing editor of the New York Times from 1964 to 1969. Before assuming the top editorial job at the paper, he served as the paper's London and Moscow bureau chief.

Clifton Daniel was married to former United States President Harry S Truman's daughter, Margaret. They married on April 21, 1956 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Independence, Missouri. The couple reared four sons and resided in Washington D.C., and New York City during their marriage.

Biography

Daniel was born to Elbert Clifton Daniel Sr., the mayor and druggist of Zebulon, North Carolina, and Elvah Jones Daniel in 1912. Having had heart disease, Clifton Daniel suffered a stroke and succumbed on February 21, 2000 at his Park Avenue apartment in Manhattan, aged 87.

He was survived by his wife Margaret, who died in January 2008, and his four sons. His 41-year-old son William Wallace Daniel followed his father in death a little over six months later on September 4, 2000, after being hit by a taxicab in Manhattan.