Donal
Donal is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Ruler of the world, mighty leader.
Origin and history
Donal is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Domhnall, which means ruler of the world or mighty ruler. It shares the same etymological roots as the more common variant Donald. In the United States, it has always been a relatively rare choice, maintained primarily by families drawn to traditional Irish naming heritage.
Popularity in the United States
3,707 babies in the United States have been named Donal since 1880. It ranks #2097 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1912.
States where it is most popular
- TX (22 %)
- CA (15 %)
- OK (13.9 %)
- NY (9 %)
- WV (7.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 158 |
| 1920-1930 | 734 |
| 1930-1940 | 797 |
| 1940-1950 | 503 |
| 1950-1960 | 470 |
| 1960-1970 | 379 |
| 1970-1980 | 222 |
| 1980-1990 | 166 |
| 1990-2000 | 136 |
| 2000-2010 | 79 |
| 2010-2019 | 43 |
| 2020-2029 | 15 |
Famous people named Donal
- Donal Logue: Actor, Producer
- Donal McCann: Actor
- Donal Skehan: Chef, Television Presenter
Nicknames
Don, Donny
Fun facts
- Donal is closer to the original Gaelic spelling Domhnall than the more common Anglicized form Donald.
- Various ancient Irish kings and Gaelic chieftains bore the name Domhnall throughout history.