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 Vacek

Daniel Vacek (born 1 April 1971) is a former tennis player from Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic who turned professional in 1990. He reached the quarterfinals of the 1995 Paris Masters, the 1998 Canada Masters and the 1998 Cincinnati Masters, and achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 26 in January 1996.

Vacek represented his native country at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was defeated in the second round. The right-hander won 25 career titles in doubles with various partners, including the French Open in 1996 and 1997 and the U.S. Open in 1997 with Yevgeny Kafelnikov.

Doubles titles (25)

Doubles performance timeline

A = did not attend tournament

External links

Chris Martin

Christopher Anthony John "Chris" Martin (born 2 March 1977) is an English musician, singer, and songwriter known as the lead vocalist and co-founder of the band Coldplay.

Early life and education

Christopher Anthony John Martin was born in Whitestone, Devon, England, and is the eldest of five children. His father, Anthony Martin, is a retired accountant, and his mother, Alison Martin, is a music teacher. His family's business was Martins of Exeter until sold by his father in 1999.William Willett, the man who campaigned for and made daylight saving time a recognized practice, was Martin's great-great-grandfather.

Martin was educated at the pre-preparatory Hylton School and the preparatory Exeter Cathedral School where he found his passion for music. After Exeter Cathedral School, Martin boarded at Sherborne School in Dorset, where he met future Coldplay manager Phil Harvey.

Martin continued his studies at University College London (UCL), staying at Ramsay Hall, where he read Ancient World Studies and graduated with first-class honours in Greek and Latin. At UCL, he met future Coldplay bandmates Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Guy Berryman.