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Donald

♂ Boy

Pronounced DON-uld /ˈdɒn.əld/High

Meaning: Ruler of the world; from Scottish Gaelic Domhnall, combining domhan (world) and all (rule, mighty)High

In 30 seconds: A powerful Scottish Gaelic name meaning 'ruler of the world,' Donald is a centuries-old clan name and saint's name that remains a recognizable classic across the English-speaking world.
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Origin HighScottish Gaelic
MeaningRuler of the world; from Scottish Gaelic Domhnall, combining domhan (world) and all (rule, mighty)
U.S. rank (2025)#690 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births395 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1934
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,414,814

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 193418802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Donald derives from the Old Irish Domhnall, which combines domhan (world) and all (mighty, ruler). It was a royal name in early medieval Scotland and Ireland, borne by multiple Scottish kings. The MacDonalds, one of the most powerful Highland clans, take their name from a famous bearer, Dòmhnall Mòr (Donald the Great).

Donald entered the mainstream English vocabulary via Scottish immigration and cultural influence. It was among the top 10 U.S. boys' names in the 1930s and 1940s. Pop-cultural associations — from Donald Duck to various public figures — kept it in wide use through the 20th century. Today it is less fashionable among newborns but carries an enduring, no-nonsense gravitas.

Did you know? Donald is the Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic Domhnall, and it was borne by several early medieval Scottish kings. Saint Donald of Ogilvy, a 7th-century Scottish hermit who raised nine daughters all of whom became nuns, is one of its early Christian bearers.
Overall data confidence 93%
Behind the Name — Donald — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

DomhnallDonnellDonalDonaldo

Nicknames

DonDonnie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Donald Trump (1946–present)
    American businessman and 45th and 47th President of the United States.
  • ★Donald Sutherland (1935–2024)
    Canadian actor known for roles in M*A*S*H and The Hunger Games.

If you like Donald…

Douglas— classic mid-century Scottish name with the same sturdy, timeless feel
Ronald— shares the mid-century peak, similar sound, and -ald ending
Gerald— fellow vintage Germanic/Celtic name with the same -ald ending
Darryl— classic American masculine name from the same era of popularity

Frequently Asked

What does the name Donald mean?

Donald comes from Scottish Gaelic Domhnall and means 'ruler of the world,' combining domhan (world) and all (mighty or ruler).

How do you pronounce Donald?

Donald is pronounced DON-uld /ˈdɒn.əld/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Donald a Scottish name?

Yes. Donald is the English form of the Scottish Gaelic Domhnall, a name borne by multiple medieval Scottish kings and the founding figure of Clan MacDonald.

Is Donald still a popular baby name?

Donald was a top-10 U.S. name in the 1930s and 1940s but has declined sharply since. It is now considered a vintage classic rather than a trendy choice.