Donald
Peaked at #6 nationally in 1934, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Donald has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Donald comes from the Scottish Gaelic name Domhnall, itself derived from an older Celtic compound meaning "world ruler" or "ruler of the world." It was long associated with Scottish clan chiefs and royalty before being anglicized into its modern form. The name spread beyond Scotland in the 19th and 20th centuries, becoming common throughout the English-speaking world.
Notable people & culture
Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th U.S. president, is by far the name's most prominent contemporary bearer. Disney's Donald Duck, introduced in 1934, made the name a staple of American pop culture, while actor Donald Sutherland and musician Donald Glover represent it in film and music. Common nicknames include Don and Donnie.
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Donald — Girls (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#507
in 1930
Last ranked
#11921
in 2004
Years tracked
88
1890–2004
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1890, Donald reached its peak popularity for girls in 1930, ranking #507 nationally with 175 babies given the name that year.
Donald hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 2004, when it stood at #11921.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | #11,921 | 8 |
| 1997 | #9,243 | 9 |
| 1996 | #10,889 | 7 |
| 1995 | #9,841 | 8 |
| 1994 | #14,060 | 5 |
| 1993 | #7,152 | 12 |
| 1991 | #8,796 | 9 |
| 1990 | #7,453 | 11 |
Donald — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#6
in 1934
Current rank
#672
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Donald reached its peak popularity for boys in 1934, ranking #6 nationally with 30,407 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #419 (2014) to #672 (2024) — a 38% drop.
As of 2024, Donald ranks #672 nationally for boys, with 405 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #672 | 405 |
| 2023 | #658 | 415 |
| 2022 | #679 | 402 |
| 2021 | #595 | 468 |
| 2020 | #610 | 449 |
| 2019 | #548 | 513 |
| 2018 | #524 | 541 |
| 2017 | #486 | 603 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Donald most popular?
Donald was most popular in 1934, when it ranked #6 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Donald becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently rising; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Donald?
At least 1,419,980 babies have been recorded with the name Donald in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Donald? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.