Declining since 1985, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Ladonna since 1903
Babies named Ladonna per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 22 |
| 1910s | 162 |
| 1920s | 630 |
| 1930s | 1,587 |
| 1940s | 2,293 |
| 1950s | 3,790 |
| 1960s | 5,422 |
| 1970s | 3,867 |
| 1980s | 2,496 |
| 1990s | 658 |
| 2000s | 197 |
| 2010s | 93 |
| 2020s | 16 |
Meaning & origin
Ladonna is a rare feminine name that combines 'la' and 'donna' to mean 'the lady' in Italian, similar to other title names like Diana or Regina but with a more direct Italian flair. In 2025, the name ranked 13,208th in the United States, with an incidence of approximately 1 in every 267,878 newborn girls, reflecting its current rarity. Ladonna first appeared on U.S. records in 1903, reached its peak popularity in 1968, and has been in decline since 1985, with the most notable usage occurring during the baby boom years of the 1960s. Despite its lack of top state associations, the name carries a strong cultural resonance rooted in Italian and Spanish linguistic traditions. Its spelling variant LaDonna remains the more common form, though both have become increasingly infrequent.
Ladonna is a combination of the feminine definite article 'la' (the) and 'donna' (lady) in Italian, literally meaning 'the lady'. It emerged as a given name in the United States in the early 20th century, likely as an elaboration of Donna or an adoption of the Italian phrase as a feminine name. The name saw its greatest popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1960s.
Where Ladonna is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls 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: Ladi, Donna, Dee, Lad
Sibling names for Ladonna
Names that share Ladonna's style, for a brother or sister.
