How to Get the Day Name From a Date using SQL Server

A lot of users have confusions over how to get a Day Name from a Date in SQL Server. I have seen developers writing custom functions to achieve this simple requirement. The solution lies in the DATENAME function

I will take an example of the Northwind database;

SELECT OrderID, CustomerID, OrderDate,
DATENAME(dw, OrderDate) as DayName
From Orders

OUTPUT

Observe how we are using the DATENAME function specifying ‘dw’ or ‘weekday’ as the datepart. Simple, wasn’t it!

It helps to check the SQL Server Books Online to go through the built-in functions. It will benefit you in the long run!

About The Author

Suprotim Agarwal, MCSD, MCAD, MCDBA, MCSE, is the founder of DotNetCurry, DNC Magazine for Developers, SQLServerCurry and DevCurry. He has also authored a couple of books 51 Recipes using jQuery with ASP.NET Controls and a new one recently at The Absolutely Awesome jQuery CookBook.

Suprotim has received the prestigous Microsoft MVP award for nine times in a row now. In a professional capacity, he is the CEO of A2Z Knowledge Visuals Pvt Ltd, a digital group that represents premium web sites and digital publications comprising of Professional web, windows, mobile and cloud developers, technical managers, and architects.

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