Donald
Donald is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
Ruler of the world.
Origin and history
Donald is derived from the Gaelic name Domhnall, meaning ruler of the world. It was traditionally popular in Scotland and became a classic, widely used masculine name throughout the English-speaking world. In the United States, it was one of the most common male names in the mid-20th century, though its contemporary usage has significantly decreased.
Popularity in the United States
1,414,824 babies in the United States have been named Donald since 1880. It ranks #16 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #627.
States where it is most popular
- NY (7.5 %)
- PA (7.3 %)
- OH (6.8 %)
- IL (6.4 %)
- CA (6.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 548 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,786 |
| 1900-1910 | 4,632 |
| 1910-1920 | 57,001 |
| 1920-1930 | 191,816 |
| 1930-1940 | 283,718 |
| 1940-1950 | 247,834 |
| 1950-1960 | 273,574 |
| 1960-1970 | 172,628 |
| 1970-1980 | 82,435 |
| 1980-1990 | 50,843 |
| 1990-2000 | 26,756 |
| 2000-2010 | 12,005 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,709 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,539 |
Famous people named Donald
- Donald Trump: President, Businessman
- Donald Glover: Actor, Musician
- Donald Sutherland: Actor
Nicknames
Don, Donnie, Donny
Fun facts
- Donald ranked among the top ten most popular boy names in the U.S. for several decades during the mid-20th century.
- The original Celtic components 'duno' (stronghold) and 'valo' (rule) evolved into the Gaelic name Domhnall.