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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Donna

Donna

♀ Girl

Pronounced DAHN-uh /ˈdΙ‘n.Ι™/Medium

Meaning: LadyMedium

In 30 seconds: Donna is an English girl's name meaning 'lady,' from the Italian word of address.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningLady
U.S. rank (2024)#1941 β†— Rising
2024 U.S. births102 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1959
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 831,536

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 195918802024

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

The name means 'lady,' echoing the Italian term used as a respectful title. As a given name in English, Donna carries that gracious, dignified sense in a simple two-syllable form. Physicist and Nobel laureate Donna Strickland is among its notable bearers.

The listed variations Donalda, Donella, and Donaldina come from a separate Donald-based line and share little of Donna's sound, so the name stands largely on its own. Actress Donna Reed is another familiar bearer.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Donna is 'lady', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Donna β€” etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration β€” 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

DonaldaDonellaDonaldina

Nicknames

β€”

Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Donna Strickland (1959–present)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.
  • β˜…Donna Reed (1921–1986)
    Winner of the Academy Award for Best Actress for 'From Here to Eternity' in 1953.

If you like Donna…

Danaβ€” shares Donna's English roots
Siannaβ€” another English name
Ginaβ€” a similarly popular pick
Laynaβ€” another English name
Ednaβ€” echoes that soft -na sound

Explore names like Donna

By themeenglish

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Donna mean?

Donna is usually explained as meaning 'lady' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Donna?

It's commonly said DAHN-uh /ˈdΙ‘n.Ι™/.

Is Donna a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Donna is used as a girl name.

How popular is Donna?

In 2024, Donna ranked #1941 in the U.S. for girls, with 102 births recorded.

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