Holding steady.
Popularity of Donel since 1916
Babies named Donel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1970, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Donel's real moment was 1937.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 18 |
| 1920s | 52 |
| 1930s | 103 |
| 1940s | 92 |
| 1950s | 96 |
| 1960s | 88 |
| 1970s | 91 |
| 1980s | 62 |
| 1990s | 57 |
| 2000s | 16 |
| 2010s | 16 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Donel is a rare masculine name first recorded in the United States in 1916. It reached its peak usage in 1937, during a time when many Scottish and Irish names gained popularity. Despite its connection to the well-known name Donald, Donel has remained uncommon. The name is most often spelled as Donald, but Donel offers a distinctive variant with the same Highland roots. Today it remains off the popularity charts, appealing to those seeking a traditional name without common usage.
Donel is likely an anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic name Domhnall, itself derived from Proto-Celtic *Dumnowalos, composed of *dumno- 'world' and *walos- 'rule' meaning 'ruler of the world'. The name has been used in Scotland and Ireland for centuries, though Donel is a rare spelling variant. Its first recorded use in the U.S. was 1916, with a peak in 1937.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Don, Donnie
Sibling names for Donel
Names that share Donel's style, for a brother or sister.
