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.

Daniel Mortimer

Daniel Mortimer (born 13 June 1989) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Gold Coast Titans in the National Rugby League. He plays at five-eighth, halfback and hooker and previously played for the Parramatta Eels and Sydney Roosters, with whom he won the 2013 NRL Grand Final with.

Background

Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Mortimer attended James Sheahan Catholic High School while playing his junior football for Orange CYMS before being signed by the Parramatta Eels. Mortimer played for the Eels NYC team in 2008 and 2009. In 2007, Mortimer played for the New South Wales Combined Catholic Schools team and Australian Schoolboys.

Mortimer is the son of former Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player Peter Mortimer and the nephew of former Bulldogs player Steve Mortimer and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks player Glen Mortimer.

Playing career

2009

In Round 12, Mortimer made his NRL debut for the Eels against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at five-eighth in the Eels 13-10 loss at Parramatta Stadium. In Round 16 against the Brisbane Broncos, Mortimer scored his first NRL career try in the Eels 21-14 win at Parramatta Stadium. Mortimer went on to score 10 tries from 18 games in his rookie season, helping the Eels to make it to the 2009 NRL Grand Final in a late season surge, playing at five-eighth against the Melbourne Storm in the Eels 23-16 loss.