Declining since 1985, #3,848 for boys today.
Popularity of Donny since 1927
Babies named Donny per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 18 |
| 1930s | 376 |
| 1940s | 1,413 |
| 1950s | 2,608 |
| 1960s | 2,436 |
| 1970s | 2,762 |
| 1980s | 1,485 |
| 1990s | 686 |
| 2000s | 576 |
| 2010s | 352 |
| 2020s | 175 |
Meaning & origin
Donny is a casual short form of Donald that saw its greatest use during the 1970s, peaking in 1976. Since 1985 its popularity has steadily fallen; in 2025 it ranked 3,848 with only 1 in 61,003 newborn boys receiving the name. The name was first recorded in U.S. data in 1927. Top states for Donny in recent years include Florida and California, reflecting a broad but declining geographic spread. While Donny invites associations with celebrities like Donny Osmond, its core appeal remains its friendly, approachable sound, though it now feels more like a nickname than a standalone given name.
Donny originated as a pet form of Donald, itself from the Scottish Gaelic Dòmhnall, composed of the elements domhan 'world' and val 'rule'. The name Donald was borne by several early Scottish kings and became common throughout the English-speaking world. Donny emerged as an affectionate short form in the 19th century, gaining independent use in the 20th.
Where Donny 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
Variants: Donnie
Sibling names for Donny
Names that share Donny's style, for a brother or sister.
