Daniels originated as an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Daniel,' with Daniel deriving from Hebrew and meaning 'God is my judge.' As a masculine given name, Daniels represents the trend of using surnames as first names, which gained momentum in American naming practices during the 20th century. The name conveys strength and tradition while maintaining a contemporary edge with its plural form and final 's'. While less common than simply using Daniel, choosing Daniels as a first name can honor family surnames or create a distinctive alternative to more popular biblical names. The name projects reliability and substance, perhaps influenced by its association with well-established brands and notable bearers of the surname in sports, entertainment, and business.