Declining since 1985, #1,793 for boys today.
Popularity of Don since 1880
Babies named Don per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1946, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Don's real moment was 1934.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 454 |
| 1890s | 620 |
| 1900s | 817 |
| 1910s | 5,683 |
| 1920s | 16,941 |
| 1930s | 35,980 |
| 1940s | 36,255 |
| 1950s | 29,452 |
| 1960s | 22,123 |
| 1970s | 8,496 |
| 1980s | 4,989 |
| 1990s | 2,638 |
| 2000s | 1,530 |
| 2010s | 1,072 |
| 2020s | 582 |
Meaning & origin
Don has been in continuous use since at least 1880, when U.S. records begin. It reached its peak popularity in 1934, ranking among the most common names of the era. Since the mid-1980s, its usage has steadily declined, reflecting a shift away from short, classic nickname-names. In recent decades, Don has become less common for newborns, though it retains a familiar, rugged appeal. Geographically, the name has been most popular in states like Georgia, Texas, and New York, though its distribution is broad. The trajectory shows a falling trend since 1985, and the name is not currently experiencing a revival. Despite its decline, Don remains a straightforward, no-nonsense choice with roots in Scottish tradition.
Don is a diminutive of the Scottish name Donald, which comes from the Gaelic Domhnall, composed of the elements 'domno' (world) and 'val' (might, rule). The name became popular in Scotland and spread to England and the United States. By the mid-20th century, Don was often used as an independent given name, especially in America.
Where Don is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Don” around the world
Where Don lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Don
Names that share Don's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Don
Names whose popularity has moved with Don's over the last 50 years.
