Declining since 1985, #6,446 for boys today.
Popularity of Donell since 1915
Babies named Donell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1959, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Donell's real moment was 1977.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 21 |
| 1920s | 0 | 107 |
| 1930s | 5 | 190 |
| 1940s | 50 | 275 |
| 1950s | 127 | 752 |
| 1960s | 180 | 724 |
| 1970s | 147 | 812 |
| 1980s | 76 | 715 |
| 1990s | 6 | 515 |
| 2000s | 0 | 442 |
| 2010s | 0 | 209 |
| 2020s | 0 | 65 |
Meaning & origin
Donell is a distinctive spelling of the classic Irish name Donnell, which itself derives from the Gaelic Domhnall, meaning 'world ruler'. First recorded in U.S. data in 1915, Donell saw its peak popularity in 1977, a time when many traditional Irish names enjoyed a resurgence. Since 1985, however, its usage has been on a gradual decline. In 2025, Donell ranked 6,446, with roughly 1 in every 131,390 male births receiving the name. The name's trajectory reflects a broader pattern of declining use for less common Irish-derived names over the past few decades. While it has never been among the top names nationally, Donell has retained a steady, if small, presence in naming records.
Donell is a spelling variant of Donnell, which is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Domhnall. Domhnall is composed of the elements 'domhan' (world) and 'val' (rule), thus 'world ruler' or 'world mighty'. The name has been used in Ireland and Scotland for centuries, often borne by chieftains and nobility. The variant Donell emerged in the United States in the early 20th century, likely influenced by phonetic spelling.
Where Donell 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
Sibling names for Donell
Names that share Donell's style, for a brother or sister.
