Donna
Meaning: World ruler, brown chief
Origin: Irish/Celtic
Gender: Girl
Rank in Canada: #23
Total births: 30,353
History: From the Italian meaning lady. Donna peaked in Canada in the 1960s. A defining name of the postwar Canadian generation.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Canada’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2023) | #1184 |
| Babies named Donna in 2023 | 8 |
| Total recorded in Canada | 30,353 |
| Peak year | 1959 (1,216 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #10 |
| Years in records | 1917–2023 (93 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↑ 59 spots |
Frequently asked about Donna
What does the name Donna mean?
Donna means “World ruler, brown chief” from Irish/Celtic roots.
What is the origin of the name Donna?
Donna has Irish/Celtic origin. The traditional meaning is “World ruler, brown chief”.
How popular is Donna in Canada?
Donna ranked #1184 in Canada in 2023 — given to 8 babies that year.
When was Donna most popular?
Donna peaked in 1959 with 1,216 babies registered that year in Canada.
Is Donna a boy or girl name?
Donna is predominantly a girls' name in Canada — over 90% of Donnas in registered births are female.
Is the name Donna rising or falling in popularity?
Donna has risen 59 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years in Canada — from #1243 in 2018 to #1184 in 2023.
How long has Donna been recorded in Canada?
Donna appears in birth records in Canada across 93 years — from 1917 through 2023.