Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Donna
GirlItalian· “lady”
- Meaning
- lady
- Origin
- Italian
- Pronunciation
- DAH-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,965
- US babies 2025
- 98
- Best rank
- #5 (1959)
- Peak year
- 1959
Meaning and origin of Donna
Donna is an Italian name that means “lady”.
Donna is the Italian word for "lady," descended from Latin domina, the feminine of dominus, "master." In Italian it was once a title of respect, much like Madonna, "my lady," used for the Virgin Mary. English speakers adopted Donna as a given name in the early twentieth century, and it became a mainstay of mid-century America, carried by actress Donna Reed and later by disco singer Donna Summer. The name has a friendly, grounded character and needs no nickname, though Don and Donnie have been used. Today it reads as a vintage classic, and its simple meaning gives it a quiet elegance that still holds up.
Popularity over time
Donna 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 129 different years. Its best national rank was #5 in 1959, the same year it reached its highest count of 36,468 babies. In 2025, 98 babies were named Donna, and it ranked #1,965 nationally. That is 39% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #202 in 1920, #13 in 1950, #144 in 1980, #661 in 2000, #983 in 2010, and #1,965 in 2025. Of the 831,641 US girls named Donna since records began, 33% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 213,468 babies. Since 2010, 2,284 more have been named Donna.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Cheryl, Kathy, Debbie, Julie, and Kim.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Donna ranked highest in Utah, Michigan, and Texas.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Donna is usually pronounced DAH-nuh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with D and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Donna
A few middle names that flow with Donna: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Donna
Similar names
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JEE-nuh
“short form of Regina or Georgina” · Italian
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Mona Girl
MOH-nuh
“uncertain; several possible sources” · Irish
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Gianna Girl
jee-AH-nuh
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Nina Girl
NEE-nuh
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Dana Girl
DAY-nuh
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Lina Girl
LEE-nuh
“tender; short for -lina names” · Arabic
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Jana Girl
JA-nuh
“God is gracious” · Czech
#1,247
Dina Girl
DEE-nuh
“form of Dinah; judged” · Hebrew
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Tina Girl
TEE-nuh
“short form of names ending in -tina” · English
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Rena Girl
REE-nuh
“short form of Irene or Rina” · Greek
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Zena Girl
ZEE-nuh
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Rana Girl
RAH-nuh
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#3,203
Lists that include Donna
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Donna mean?
Donna is an Italian name that means “lady”.
What is the origin of the name Donna?
Donna has Italian roots. Donna is the Italian word for "lady," descended from Latin domina, the feminine of dominus, "master." In Italian it was once a title of respect, much like Madonna, "my lady," used for the Virgin Mary.
Is Donna a popular name?
Not especially. Donna ranked #1,965 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Donna a boy or girl name?
Donna is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Donna?
Donna is usually pronounced DAH-nuh. 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