Donald

Fact sheet

Name: Donald
Gender: Boy name
Syllables: 2

The first name Donald is a male name that means 'the world ruler'. It is derived from the Celtic name Domhnall, which is used in its anglicized form and consists of the Old Irish words domun for 'world' and fal for 'ruler' or 'to rule'.

What does the name Donald mean?

The name Donald carries the meaning 'the world ruler' and is the anglicized variant of the Celtic name Domhnall. It is composed of the Old Irish terms domun, which means 'world', and fal, which means 'ruler' or 'to rule'. The most common diminutive and short forms of Donald include Don, Donnie, and Donny.

How do you pronounce Donald?

The name Donald has a two-syllable pronunciation and is pronounced as 'Do-nald' [ˈdɔ.nalt]. The dark timbre of the initial 'o' gives the name a certain grounding and fullness, while the distinctive final 't' adds a clear accent. Donald feels international and powerful, with a solid presence and clear contours.

When is the name day of Donald?

Donald celebrates his name day on July 15 (in honor of Saint Donewald) and on August 11 (in memory of Saint Donoald).

Popularity

In Germany, Donald is a rather rare first name. Currently, it ranks 5,840th on the list of the most common male first names. The name reached its best position in 2007, ranking 1,124th. In the last ten years, Donald has been given as a first name about 70 times, placing it 3,010th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 3,168th.

Nicknames & pet names

BJ-Donald / Don / Donna / Donni / Donnie / Donny / Donut / Druck / Drumby / Drump / Duck / Naldo / Ronald / Tromp

Similar first names

Donalda

Famous people

Don Bachardy (* 1934), American painter and draftsman
Donald (Donnie) Darko (film character)
Donald Arthur (* 1937), American actor and voice actor
Donald Bellisario (American television producer)
Donald Bloxham (historian from England)
Donald Cock (English footballer)
Donald Duck (Disney character)
Donald E. Ingber (American biologist)
Donald Fagen (American singer)
Donald Faison (actor (Scrubs, Clueless))
Donald Frank (American football player)
Donald Fraser (geologist from England)
Donald Gray (South African actor)
Donald Haines (American actor)
Donald J. Cockell (boxer from Great Britain)
Donald J. Cram (American chemist)
Donald Macdonald (English rugby player)
Donald Malinowski (footballer from the USA)
Donald Marshall Gray (actor from Great Britain)
Donald McGill (British artist)

Frequently asked questions about the name Donald

What is the origin of the name Donald?

Donald has Gaelic and Old Irish roots and means 'the world ruler'.

What diminutive or short forms are there for Donald?

The most common diminutive and short forms include Don, Donnie, and Donny.

In which languages is the name Donald common?

The name Donald is common in various languages, including American, English, and Scottish.

How is the name Donald pronounced?

Donald is generally pronounced as 'Do-nald', with the 'o' sounding like in 'Brot'.