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Donnel
How to Pronounce Donnel
Pronounced duh-NEL /dΙΛnΙl/Medium
Meaning: A variant of Donnell (or Donal), from the Irish Domhnall, built from elements meaning world and mighty or rule, so roughly world-ruler; the single-l spelling is a common simplification.Low
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Donnel is a variant of Donnell, an anglicized form of the Irish Domhnall, from elements meaning world and mighty, understood as world-ruler. The same root produced the Scottish Donald.
It stayed uncommon, given to only a couple dozen boys a year at most, holding on into the twenty-first century. A man named Donnel around its nineteen-eighties showing would be in his mid-forties today.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Donnel mean?
Donnel is a variant of Donnell or Donal, from the Irish Domhnall, understood as world-ruler.
How do you pronounce Donnel?
It is said duh-NEL, with the stress on the second syllable.
Is Donnel a boy or girl name?
Donnel is used as a boy's name.
How popular is the name Donnel?
Donnel was always uncommon, given to only a couple dozen boys a year, with its high point in the nineteen-eighties.