Donald Boy

Popularity: #580 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DAHN-uhld //ˈdɒn.əld//

Origin: Scottish; Gaelic

Meaning: Scottish: world ruler; Gaelic: ruler of the world

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Donald has its roots in the Gaelic name Domhnall, which is composed of the elements "domhan," meaning "world," and "all," meaning "mighty" or "ruler." This name was prevalent in early medieval Scotland, where it was borne by several notable figures, including Donald I, who reigned as King of the Scots in the late 9th century. The name was later Latinized as Donatus in some contexts, which contributed to its spread through various regions and languages.

Throughout the centuries, Donald has been associated with various historical milestones. One significant figure is Donald II, who became King of the Scots in the early 10th century.

The name also appears in the annals of Scottish history, particularly during the turbulent times of clan conflicts and the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. The name's presence in literature can be traced back to works such as the "Chronicles of the Kings of Scotland," which document the lineage of Scottish monarchs.

Culturally, the name Donald carries connotations of strength and leadership, reflective of its meaning. It has been a popular name among Scottish clans, often symbolizing a connection to heritage and tradition.

The diminutive form, Don, has also been used historically, though it is less formal. The name's endurance can be attributed to its deep roots in Scottish history and its association with nobility and power, making it a significant name within the cultural landscape of Scotland.

Famous people named Donald

In this section, you will find notable people named Donald. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Donald who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Donald who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Donald Trump is a businessman and television personality best known for The Apprentice, his presidency, and real estate ventures.

Donald Glover is an actor, writer, and musician best known for Atlanta, Community, and his music under the name Childish Gambino.

Donald Sutherland is an actor best known for M*A*S*H, The Hunger Games, and Ordinary People.

Donald Fagen is a musician best known as the co-founder of Steely Dan and for his solo album The Nightfly.

Donald O'Connor is an actor and dancer best known for Singin' in the Rain, Francis, and his work in musical films.

Fictional characters named Donald

The following list of fictional characters named Donald is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Donald Duck is a fictional character from the Disney franchise. He is a hot-tempered yet lovable anthropomorphic duck known for his distinctive voice and comedic misadventures.

Donald Glover is a fictional character from the TV series Community. He is a kind-hearted and often naive member of a diverse study group at a community college.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Donald, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

DouglasDavidDerekDanielDylanDustin

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Donald. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

RonaldArnoldGeraldHaroldEarlCarlMildredWalter

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Donald was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Donald has ranked as high as #8 nationally, which occurred in 1934, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and California.

In the past 5 years the name Donald has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Donald is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Donald was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Donald.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 395 395 0
2024 408 408 0
2023 415 415 0
2022 403 403 0
2021 468 468 0
2020 450 450 0
2019 513 513 0
2018 541 541 0
2017 603 603 0
2016 625 625 0
2015 696 696 0
2014 738 738 0
2013 711 711 0
2012 729 729 0
2011 788 788 0
2010 765 765 0
2009 839 839 0
2008 992 992 0
2007 999 999 0
2006 1,098 1,098 0
2005 1,150 1,150 0
2004 1,259 1,251 8
2003 1,308 1,308 0
2002 1,289 1,289 0
2001 1,470 1,470 0
2000 1,609 1,609 0
1999 1,747 1,747 0
1998 1,862 1,862 0
1997 1,979 1,970 9
1996 2,191 2,184 7
1995 2,260 2,252 8
1994 2,657 2,652 5
1993 3,008 2,996 12
1992 3,266 3,266 0
1991 3,659 3,650 9
1990 4,188 4,177 11
1989 4,341 4,323 18
1988 4,364 4,328 36
1987 4,543 4,501 42
1986 4,695 4,661 34
1985 4,787 4,750 37
1984 5,098 5,062 36
1983 5,374 5,327 47
1982 5,758 5,712 46
1981 5,950 5,910 40
1980 6,315 6,269 46
1979 6,571 6,508 63
1978 6,461 6,423 38
1977 6,901 6,866 35
1976 6,851 6,792 59
1975 7,254 7,197 57
1974 7,805 7,758 47
1973 8,436 8,361 75
1972 9,338 9,261 77
1971 10,939 10,872 67
1970 12,461 12,397 64
1969 12,852 12,775 77
1968 13,435 13,362 73
1967 14,310 14,226 84
1966 14,795 14,713 82
1965 16,094 16,033 61
1964 18,113 18,045 68
1963 18,980 18,896 84
1962 20,495 20,425 70
1961 21,485 21,409 76
1960 22,831 22,744 87
1959 23,964 23,876 88
1958 25,109 25,015 94
1957 28,002 27,910 92
1956 28,308 28,223 85
1955 27,795 27,726 69
1954 29,345 29,279 66
1953 28,430 28,361 69
1952 28,341 28,269 72
1951 27,981 27,916 65
1950 27,050 26,999 51
1949 27,189 27,121 68
1948 26,490 26,442 48
1947 28,323 28,260 63
1946 26,345 26,273 72
1945 22,185 22,138 47
1944 23,528 23,468 60
1943 24,490 24,421 69
1942 24,031 23,955 76
1941 22,704 22,641 63
1940 23,199 23,115 84
1939 24,139 24,056 83
1938 26,756 26,677 79
1937 27,949 27,868 81
1936 28,727 28,639 88
1935 29,786 29,674 112
1934 30,518 30,408 110
1933 28,583 28,450 133
1932 29,919 29,794 125
1931 29,260 29,100 160
1930 29,227 29,052 175
1929 27,351 27,181 170
1928 25,874 25,704 170
1927 23,978 23,834 144
1926 21,045 20,912 133
1925 19,298 19,193 105
1924 18,014 17,929 85
1923 16,486 16,433 53
1922 14,969 14,913 56
1921 13,833 13,776 57
1920 11,987 11,941 46
1919 9,946 9,904 42
1918 10,010 9,972 38
1917 8,758 8,729 29
1916 7,758 7,736 22
1915 7,136 7,116 20
1914 4,854 4,835 19
1913 3,716 3,702 14
1912 2,879 2,872 7
1911 1,275 1,275 0
1910 866 860 6
1909 725 725 0
1908 664 664 0
1907 616 616 0
1906 486 486 0
1905 425 425 0
1904 413 413 0
1903 359 359 0
1902 366 366 0
1901 250 250 0
1900 328 328 0
1899 258 258 0
1898 238 238 0
1897 195 195 0
1896 211 211 0
1895 203 203 0
1894 169 169 0
1893 166 166 0
1892 137 137 0
1891 100 100 0
1890 114 109 5
1889 75 75 0
1888 77 77 0
1887 60 60 0
1886 57 57 0
1885 47 47 0
1884 59 59 0
1883 52 52 0
1882 48 48 0
1881 27 27 0
1880 46 46 0

Top States for Donald (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 32
9%
TX 29
8%
PA 24
7%
OH 24
7%
FL 23
6%
GA 20
5%
NY 18
5%
MI 17
5%
IL 17
5%
NC 15
4%
IN 13
4%
WA 12
3%
MO 11
3%
AL 11
3%
LA 10
3%
NJ 10
3%
AZ 9
2%
WI 9
2%
OK 8
2%
KY 8
2%
MD 7
2%
TN 7
2%
VA 7
2%
SC 6
2%
OR 5
1%
CT 5
1%
MS 5
1%
UT 5
1%