Declining since 1985, #690 for boys today.
Popularity of Donald since 1880
Babies named Donald per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 548 |
| 1890s | 1,786 |
| 1900s | 4,632 |
| 1910s | 57,001 |
| 1920s | 191,816 |
| 1930s | 283,718 |
| 1940s | 247,834 |
| 1950s | 273,574 |
| 1960s | 172,628 |
| 1970s | 82,435 |
| 1980s | 50,843 |
| 1990s | 26,756 |
| 2000s | 12,005 |
| 2010s | 6,709 |
| 2020s | 2,539 |
Meaning & origin
Donald is a classic Scottish name with deep historical roots. In the United States, it once enjoyed immense popularity, peaking in 1934 when it was a top choice for baby boys. Since then, its usage has steadily declined: after a period of relative stability, it began a marked fall from 1985 onward. Today, it ranks 690th, given to just 1 in 4,324 boys, a fraction of its former prevalence. The name is most common in South Carolina, Alabama, and Maryland, reflecting its enduring, if diminished, presence across the country. Its trajectory captures the arc of a once-mighty name now settled into quiet familiarity.
Donald originates from the Scottish Gaelic name Dòmhnall, derived from the Old Irish Domhnall, composed of the elements *dubno* (world) and *val* (rule). It was borne by early Scottish kings and clan chiefs, cementing its status as a name of leadership and nobility. The name spread to Ireland and later to the English-speaking world through Scottish emigration, maintaining steady popularity for centuries.
Where Donald 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Don, Donnie, Donny
Variants: Don, Donal, Donnell, Donell, Donnie, Donny, Donavan, Donahue
Sibling names for Donald
Names that share Donald's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Margaret, Elizabeth, Catherine, Helen, Ruth, Beverly, Carolyn, Deanna, Denise, Donna, Janet, Norma, Carlene, Carole, Caroll, Cherryl, Darleen, Dona, Donetta, Donia, Dorene, Gayla, Jerri, Jerrilyn, Karolyn, Karyl, Luann, Marilynn, Marlyn, Marlys, Sharilyn, Sherrill, Arlinda, Carolee, Corliss, Darline, Darlyne, Dedra, Deeanna, Denese, Dennise, Donita, Gaynell, Genell, Janise, Jeraldine, Jerilynn, Lorretta, Louanne, Maralyn, Marjean, Marolyn, Pamella, Rosann, Saralyn, Sharen, Sharolyn, Sharyl, Sherley, Arlynn, Bobbette, Carren, Carylon, Charyl, Darlynn, Dawnelle, Deitra, Delene, Deniece, Donalee, Donica, Donice, Donnabelle, Donnamarie, Donnette, Donnia, Doralee, Doree, Dorenda, Dorlene, Harolyn, Jacolyn, Janith, Jerlene, Jerolyn, Joellyn, Joelyn, Joyann, Karole, Lauralyn, Lorenda, Lorraina, Louellen, Maralee, Marilynne, Rondi, Sharalyn, Sharlet, Sheral, Sherida, Sherlene, Sherrel, Shronda, Suann, Barbar, Beverely, Brendalyn, Carilyn, Carlyne, Caroleen, Carolle, Carollee, Carollyn, Carollynn, Cindra, Connee, Danne, Darlis, Dennice, Donise, Dorraine, Drinda, Evonda, Gailya, Gaylia, Geralene, Geralynn, Gloriann, Illene, Jeanell, Jeanenne, Jerrilynn, Jolaine, Joylene, Leonda, Normajean, Redonna, Ronalda, Sandria, Shearon, Sherlie, Sherolyn, Sheryn, Shirlean, Shirly, Bronda, Cherrill, Gennell, Bevely, Beverlyann, Brendolyn, Carloyn, Cheyrl, Chryl, Darlys, Debar, Donalyn, Donnajean, Donnice, Doralene, Dorann, Doristine, Dorlis, Dorri, Dorrine, Dorthia, Gailyn, Glennette, Jackolyn, Janyth, Jerilee, Kathlee, Kennetha, Maridee, Marigene, Rondalyn, Rudine, Ruthellen, Sharley, Sherald, Sherel, Sherleen, Sherral, Shirla, Shriley, Shyrl, Veralyn
Brothers: Robert, William, James, John, Richard, Daryl, Dennis, Gerald, Jerald, Roger, Ronald, Darel, Darl, Darrel, Jerold, Jerrold, Kennith, Mickey, Rondal, Derald, Donnis, Garold, Jonell, Keneth, Kenith, Sheron, Sherron, Darral, Darrold, Donathan, Donis, Donnelle, Garald, Gerad, Jarold, Jearl, Jearld, Jeral, Jerrald, Rondall, Rondel, Ronnald, Darald, Darol, Darryle, Deland, Kenneith, Kenwood, Ronnel, Dannis, Kinneth, Carold, Darryel, Donney, Rondle
Names like Donald
Names whose popularity has moved with Donald's over the last 50 years.
