Donn

♂ Boy

Pronounced DON /ˈdɑn/Medium

Meaning: Donn is a short form of Donald (Scottish/Gaelic 'world ruler') and, separately, the name of Donn, an Irish god of the dead ('the dark one,' from donn 'brown, dark'). Which applies here is uncertain; we note both.Low

In 30 seconds: A single crisp beat: Donn shortens Donald ('world ruler') and echoes the Irish god Donn (said 'DON'). Routes noted.

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Origin LowScottish, Irish

MeaningDonn is a short form of Donald (Scottish/Gaelic 'world ruler') and, separately, the name of Donn, an Irish god of the dead ('the dark one,' from donn 'brown, dark'). Which applies here is uncertain; we note both.

U.S. rank (2024)#12756 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1949

Total births (all-time)≈ 6,553

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Donn is a short form of Donald (Scottish/Gaelic 'world ruler') and, separately, the name of the Irish god Donn ('the dark one,' from donn 'brown, dark'), lord of the dead. Which route applies here is uncertain; we note both (said 'DON').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, short, and crisp.

Did you know? Donn serves as a short form of Donald ('world ruler') and recalls Donn, the Irish god of the dead ('the dark one') — a compact name with two routes, which we note (said 'DON').

Overall data confidence 42%

References — Donn — short for Donald 'world ruler'; Irish god Donn; routes noted

Variations

DonDonnieDonald

Nicknames

DonDonny

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Donn…

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Finn— a like short Irish-linked name

Cormac— a like Irish mythology-linked name

Explore names like Donn

By themeuncertain short irish scottish

By meaningGod / Divine Royal / Noble

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Donn mean?

Donn is a short form of Donald ('world ruler') and the name of the Irish god Donn ('the dark one'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Donn?

It's said DON /ˈdɑn/ — one syllable, the whole word stressed.

Is Donn a boy or girl name?

Donn is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Donn?

Donn is a rare name for boys in the U.S.