Holding steady.
Popularity of Donn since 1912
Babies named Donn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 145 |
| 1920s | 671 |
| 1930s | 827 |
| 1940s | 1,294 |
| 1950s | 1,822 |
| 1960s | 964 |
| 1970s | 458 |
| 1980s | 207 |
| 1990s | 85 |
| 2000s | 46 |
| 2010s | 24 |
| 2020s | 10 |
Meaning & origin
Donn is a short, straightforward Irish name with ancient mythological roots but limited modern usage. According to Social Security data, Donn was first recorded in 1912 and saw its peak year in 1949, though exact rank numbers are not available for that period. In recent years, the name has maintained a stable trajectory but has not appeared in the top 1000 since at least the 1960s. Without a specific 1-in-N rate, its current rarity is clear. The name is historically linked to the Irish god of the dead, giving it a solemn, mythic quality. Donn remains a niche choice, appealing primarily to parents seeking a distinctly Irish name that is not among the more common options like Liam or Sean.
Donn is an Irish given name of uncertain derivation. It may come from donn, an Irish word meaning 'brown' or 'chief'. In Irish mythology, Donn was a god of the dead and an ancestor of the Gaels. The name was historically used as a first name but saw a brief period of moderate popularity in the United States in the mid-20th century, peaking in 1949.
Where Donn 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
Variants: Don
Sibling names for Donn
Names that share Donn's style, for a brother or sister.
