Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Donald
BoyScottish· “world ruler”
- Meaning
- world ruler
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- DAH-nuhld
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #690
- US babies 2025
- 395
- Best rank
- #6 (1934)
- Peak year
- 1934
Meaning and origin of Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means “world ruler”.
Donald is the English form of the Scottish Gaelic Domhnall, built from elements meaning world and rule, so it is often translated as world ruler. Several early kings of Scotland bore the name, and it is the source of the surname MacDonald, one of the great Highland clans. Donald spread through the English-speaking world in the twentieth century. It is also known through the cartoon character Donald Duck, and it is the first name of American President Donald Trump. Don and Donny are the traditional nicknames.
Popularity over time
Donald has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #6 in 1934, the same year it reached its highest count of 30,408 babies. In 2025, 395 babies were named Donald, and it ranked #690 nationally. That is 43% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #16 in 1920, #14 in 1950, #53 in 1980, #217 in 2000, #377 in 2010, and #690 in 2025. Of the 1,414,824 US boys named Donald since records began, 20% were born in the 1930s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 273,574 babies. Since 2010, 9,248 more have been named Donald.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Donald ranked highest in Maryland, South Carolina, and Alabama.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | #447 | 11 |
| South Carolina | #447 | 11 |
| Alabama | #458 | 11 |
| Connecticut | #513 | 5 |
| Iowa | #519 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Donald is usually pronounced DAH-nuhld, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-ld”.
Middle names for Donald
A few middle names that flow with Donald: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Donald
Similar names
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Lists that include Donald
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Donald mean?
Donald is a Scottish name that means “world ruler”.
What is the origin of the name Donald?
Donald has Scottish roots. Donald is the English form of the Scottish Gaelic Domhnall, built from elements meaning world and rule, so it is often translated as world ruler.
Is Donald a popular name?
Yes. Donald ranked #690 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Donald a boy or girl name?
Donald is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Donald?
Donald is usually pronounced DAH-nuhld. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings