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Donatello

♂ Boy

Donatello Pronunciation

Donatello is pronounced don-ah-TEL-oh /ˌdɒn.əˈtɛl.oʊ/High

Meaning: Given; given by GodHigh

In 30 seconds: Donatello is an Italian name from Latin Donatus meaning 'given by God.' It belongs to one of the greatest sculptors of the Renaissance and one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

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Origin HighLatin, Italian

MeaningGiven; given by God

U.S. rank (2024)#3002 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births41 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 470

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Latin Donatus derives from donare (to give). The Italian diminutive Donatello was the nickname of Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi (c.1386–1466), the Florentine sculptor whose innovations in perspective and naturalism influenced generations.

In 1984, the character Donatello — the tech-savvy purple-masked Ninja Turtle — introduced the name to millions of children worldwide, creating a double legacy: Renaissance genius and pop-culture hero. Parents today may choose it for either or both associations.

Did you know? The Renaissance master Donatello is credited with creating the first freestanding bronze nude statue since antiquity — his David — a revolutionary moment in Western art history.

Overall data confidence 93%

Oxford Dictionary of First Names — Donatus Latin etymologyEncyclopaedia Britannica — Donatello the sculptor

Variations

DonatoDonatus

Nicknames

DonDonnyTello

Famous Bearers

★Donatello (1386–1466)
Florentine sculptor of the early Italian Renaissance famous for his bronze David, the first freestanding nude male sculpture since antiquity

If you like Donatello…

Domenico— Italian Catholic name of comparable Renaissance prestige

Dante— Italian literary/historical name of similar cultural weight

Danilo— shares Donatello's Italian roots

Dangelo— lands in the same popularity range

Giancarlo— another Italian name

→ See all names like Donatello

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Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Donatello?

Donatello is pronounced don-ah-TEL-oh (/ˌdɒn.əˈtɛl.oʊ/). Press play above to hear Donatello said aloud.

How do you say Donatello?

Donatello is said don-ah-TEL-oh (/ˌdɒn.əˈtɛl.oʊ/). Press play above to hear Donatello said aloud.

What does the name Donatello mean?

Donatello means 'given' or 'given by God,' from Latin Donatus (from donare, to give). It is an Italian diminutive of Donato.

Is Donatello a boy or girl name?

Donatello is an Italian masculine name used exclusively for boys.

How popular is Donatello?

Donatello is rare in English-speaking countries but recognizable globally through the Renaissance artist and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.