Holding steady.
Popularity of Donnis since 1912
Babies named Donnis per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1948, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Donnis's real moment was 1936.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 38 | 0 |
| 1920s | 145 | 17 |
| 1930s | 228 | 71 |
| 1940s | 288 | 109 |
| 1950s | 200 | 127 |
| 1960s | 98 | 38 |
| 1970s | 43 | 53 |
| 1980s | 6 | 23 |
| 1990s | 0 | 6 |
| 2000s | 0 | 12 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 10 |
Meaning & origin
Donnis is a rare American variant of Dennis, first recorded in 1912. Its peak usage occurred in 1936, with very few births in any year. The name has remained stable in its rarity, never breaking into national rankings. As a phonetic respelling of Dennis, Donnis reflects the creative naming trends of the early 20th century. It was never concentrated in any particular state, suggesting scattered use across the country. The name carries the legacy of the Greek god Dionysus through its root, but remains an uncommon choice.
Donnis is a variant of Dennis, which itself comes from the Greek name Dionysios, meaning 'follower of Dionysus'. The name Dennis was introduced to England by the Normans and became common in the Middle Ages. Donnis likely emerged as an American phonetic spelling or diminutive form in the early 20th century, gaining modest use during the 1930s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Don, Donnie
Sibling names for Donnis
Names that share Donnis's style, for a brother or sister.
