Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Donal since 1909
Babies named Donal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 158 |
| 1920s | 734 |
| 1930s | 797 |
| 1940s | 503 |
| 1950s | 470 |
| 1960s | 379 |
| 1970s | 222 |
| 1980s | 166 |
| 1990s | 136 |
| 2000s | 79 |
| 2010s | 43 |
| 2020s | 15 |
Meaning & origin
Donal is a classic Irish and Scottish name that has seen a steady decline in use since its peak in 1931. According to U.S. Social Security data, the name first appeared in 1909 and reached its highest popularity during the 1930s, with a peak rank in 1931. Since 1985, its trajectory has been falling, and by 2025 it did not rank in the top 1000 names. The name's rarity today, with a 1-in-N rate not available due to low frequency, makes it a distinctive choice for those seeking a traditional Gaelic name. Donal has strong historical roots, borne by kings and saints, and its anglicized form Donald has been more common, especially in the United States.
Donal is an anglicized form of the Irish name Domhnall, which derives from the Old Irish elements dumno (world) and val (rule). It was borne by many early Irish kings and saints, and its Scottish cognate is Domhnull. The name has been in consistent use in Ireland and Scotland for centuries, though it declined in popularity in the late 20th century.
“Donal” around the world
Where Donal lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
6
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Don, Donnie
Variants: Donald, Domhnall, Domhnull, Dónal
Sibling names for Donal
Names that share Donal's style, for a brother or sister.
