Holding steady.
Popularity of Donnel since 1922
Babies named Donnel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1980, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Donnel's real moment was 1974.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 0 | 29 |
| 1930s | 0 | 54 |
| 1940s | 0 | 53 |
| 1950s | 0 | 82 |
| 1960s | 32 | 118 |
| 1970s | 10 | 130 |
| 1980s | 5 | 127 |
| 1990s | 0 | 98 |
| 2000s | 0 | 46 |
| 2010s | 0 | 39 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Donnel is a rare Irish given name, a variant of the more common Donal or Donald. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1922, though it has never reached the top 1000. Its peak year was 1974, with modest usage in the 1970s. Since then, its trajectory has been stable but extremely low, with fewer than 5 annual births in recent years. The name carries a strong Celtic heritage, connected to the Gaelic Domhnall, meaning 'ruler of the world'. As a surname and given name, it remains an uncommon choice, often preferred by families with Irish roots.
Donnel is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Domhnall, which derives from the Celtic elements 'domno' (world) and 'val' (might, rule), thus 'ruler of the world'. It has also been interpreted as 'brown-haired chieftain' under the influence of 'donn' (brown). The name was historically borne by several Irish kings and chieftains.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Don, Donnie
Sibling names for Donnel
Names that share Donnel's style, for a brother or sister.
