Donato is an Italian masculine given name derived from the Latin word 'donatus', which means "given". The name was particularly popular in southern Italy and among the nobility during the Middle Ages.
The origin of the name can be traced back to Saint Donatus, a bishop of Arezzo who lived in the 4th century. Saint Donatus was known for his devotion to the Christian faith and his generous acts towards the poor. Due to his popularity as a saint, his name became widely used among Christians throughout Europe.
In literature, Donato is also associated with the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, who named one of the characters in his novel "Don Quixote" Donato, a friend of the main character.
Today, Donato remains a popular name in Italy and other parts of Southern Europe. It is often shortened to variations such as Donatello or Donato. Despite its long history and widespread use, Donato has maintained its unique charm and continues to be chosen by parents for their sons.
The name Donato experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. The highest number of births recorded was 54 in 1926, while the lowest was 14 in 1945. Between 1890 and 2023, there were a total of 3095 births named Donato.