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Home › Baby Names Directory › Donella

Donella

♀ Girl

Pronounced duh-NEL-uh /dəˈnɛl.ə/Medium

Meaning: A Scottish and Gaelic feminine form of Donald, from Domhnall, 'world-ruler' (dumhno, 'world,' plus val, 'rule'). A vintage, dignified name.Low

In 30 seconds: A dignified Scottish name: Donella is a feminine of Donald, 'world-ruler' (said 'duh-NEL-uh'). Vintage and graceful.
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Origin MediumScottish, Gaelic
MeaningA Scottish and Gaelic feminine form of Donald, from Domhnall, 'world-ruler' (dumhno, 'world,' plus val, 'rule'). A vintage, dignified name.
U.S. rank (2018)#14279 ↗ Rising
2018 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1952
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,818

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197019102018

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Donella is a Scottish and Gaelic feminine form of Donald, rooted in Domhnall, 'world-ruler.' It carries a vintage, dignified air and reads as graceful and rare today (said 'duh-NEL-uh').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely, with a vintage Scottish feel. Rare, dignified, and old-world.

Did you know? Donella is a Scottish and Gaelic feminine of Donald, from Domhnall, 'world-ruler' — a stately, old-world name with a soft finish (said 'duh-NEL-uh').
Overall data confidence 48%
References — Donella — Scottish/Gaelic feminine of Donald 'world-ruler'

Variations

DonaldaDonellaDonnella

Nicknames

NellaDonnie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Donella…

Fiona— a like Scottish girl's name
Nella— a warm short cousin in sound
Devina— another Scottish name
Brayla— shares Donella's Scottish roots
Khyla— a fellow Gaelic choice

Explore names like Donella

By themevintagescottishgaelicfeminine-form

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Donella mean?

Donella is a Scottish feminine of Donald, from Domhnall, 'world-ruler.'

How do you pronounce Donella?

It's said duh-NEL-uh /dəˈnɛl.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Donella a boy or girl name?

Donella is a girl's name, the feminine of Donald.

How popular is Donella?

Donella is an extremely rare name in the U.S.

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