Holding steady.
Popularity of Donalee since 1923
Babies named Donalee per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1959, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Donalee's real moment was 1933.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 22 |
| 1930s | 91 |
| 1940s | 87 |
| 1950s | 105 |
| 1960s | 80 |
| 1970s | 21 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Donalee is a classic example of the mid-20th century American trend of blending two popular names to create a new one. It first entered Social Security records in 1923, reflecting the era's creative naming practices. The name reached its peak popularity in 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, when it was given to a modest number of baby girls. Since then, its usage has steadily declined, remaining a rare choice. The trajectory has been stable in recent decades, with no signs of revival. Donalee never appeared among the top 1000 names nationally, and its geographic distribution is too sparse to identify top states. For families seeking an uncommon name with a vintage feel, Donalee offers a distinctive option rooted in Americana.
Donalee is a modern compound name formed from Donna, the Italian word for 'lady' adopted as a given name in the early 20th century, and Lee, an English surname or given name meaning 'meadow' or 'clearing.' Such blend names were especially popular in the United States during the mid-20th century. Donalee first appeared in Social Security records in 1923 and saw its peak usage in 1933.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dona, Lee, Lea
Variants: Donna Lee, Donnalee
Sibling names for Donalee
Names that share Donalee's style, for a brother or sister.
