Holding steady.
Popularity of Donyel since 1966
Babies named Donyel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 11 | 0 |
| 1970s | 63 | 54 |
| 1980s | 11 | 18 |
| 1990s | 11 | 7 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Donyel is a modern English respelling of the biblical name Daniel, first recorded in U.S. Social Security data in 1966. Its usage peaked in 1973, when it was given to 9 babies, and has remained extremely rare since, with fewer than 5 babies per year in recent decades. The name has never ranked in the top 1000, and its trajectory is classified as stable, indicating a consistent low level of use. Donyel is interesting for its unisex appeal, having been used for both boys and girls from its earliest recorded years. Though no top states are associated with this rare name, its phonetic spelling reflects a broader trend of creative name variations that emerged in the mid-20th century.
Donyel is a modern respelling of Daniel, a Hebrew name meaning 'God is my judge.' It emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century, following a trend of phonetic and creative variations of traditional names. The name has been used for both boys and girls since the 1960s, though it remains uncommon.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Don, Donny, Dony, El
Sibling names for Donyel
Names that share Donyel's style, for a brother or sister.
