Donald
Gender: Boy
Meaning: World ruler, great chief
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Popularity: Ranked #690 in 2025 with 395 babies born.
History: Donald derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'Domhnall,' combining 'dubno' (world) and 'val' (rule), meaning world ruler or great chief. It has been a royal name in Scotland and was one of the most popular names in the English-speaking world in the mid-20th century.
Famous people named Donald: Donald Glover (actor/musician), Donald Sutherland (actor)
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Donald? About 1 in 8,427 babies born in 2025 were named Donald, or roughly 1.1 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Donald
What does the name Donald mean?
Donald means “World ruler, great chief” from Scottish Gaelic roots.
What is the origin of the name Donald?
Donald has Scottish Gaelic origin. The traditional meaning is “World ruler, great chief”.
How popular is Donald?
Donald ranked #690 in 2025 — given to 395 babies that year.
When was Donald most popular?
Donald peaked in 1934 with 30,407 babies registered that year.
Is Donald a boy or girl name?
Donald is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Donalds in registered births are male.
Is the name Donald rising or falling in popularity?
Donald has fallen 82 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #608 in 2020 to #690 in 2025.
How long has Donald been recorded?
Donald appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.