Donny
Donny is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
World ruler, ruler of the world, or mighty ruler.
Origin and history
Donny is a familiar diminutive of Donald, originating from the Gaelic name Domhnall. It has long been used as an independent given name as well as a pet name in the United States. While its peak usage occurred in the mid-to-late 20th century, it remains a recognizable classic choice today.
Popularity in the United States
12,887 babies in the United States have been named Donny since 1880. It ranks #1047 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1752.
States where it is most popular
- TX (22.1 %)
- CA (11.5 %)
- GA (7.1 %)
- TN (6.8 %)
- AL (6.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 18 |
| 1930-1940 | 376 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,413 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,608 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,436 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,762 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,485 |
| 1990-2000 | 686 |
| 2000-2010 | 576 |
| 2010-2019 | 352 |
| 2020-2029 | 175 |
Famous people named Donny
- Donny Osmond: Singer, Actor
- Donny Hathaway: Singer, Musician
- Donny van de Beek: Athlete, Footballer
Fun facts
- Donny developed as an endearing short form of Donald, which stems from the ancient Gaelic name Domhnall.
- The name gained widespread pop-culture visibility in the U.S. through teen idol Donny Osmond in the 1970s.