- published: 24 Feb 2016
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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.
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 Alves da Silva (born 6 May 1983), commonly known as Dani Alves (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈdɐ̃ni ˈawvis]), is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a right back for Spanish club Barcelona and the Brazil national team.
Before joining Barcelona, Alves spent a successful six-year spell with Sevilla, winning two UEFA Cups and the Copa del Rey with the Andalusian side. He joined Barcelona for €32.5 million, becoming the third-most expensive defender of all time. He won the Treble in his first season with the club and in the next season he won the Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Additionally, he helped the club to clinch another Spanish Super Cup, two league titles and a UEFA Champions League in the years that followed. Alves has held a Spanish passport since 2005.
Alves is the second-most decorated footballer in European competitions of all time with nine European medals, leaving him one behind Paolo Maldini on the all-time list.
On 29 September 2011, Alves was appointed as a Special Olympics Ambassador for its Global Football program, charged with promoting respect and inclusion in football for people with intellectual disabilities, particularly in the run up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.