Originating from Gaelic, Donnel is a masculine given name that translates to 'dark-haired warrior'. It is a unique yet timeless choice for parents seeking an uncommon name with historical roots. Pronounced as DON-uh-l, it consists of three syllables and offers a distinct sound compared to more common names. Donnel has been used in various spellings such as Donnell, Donovan, and even Donnelan, but the original Gaelic form retains its charm and individuality.
The name Donnel experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with peaks in the late 1950s to early 1960s and again in the mid-1970s to early 1980s. The highest number of births recorded was 20 in 1980. However, there have been years since the late 1990s where the name Donnel has become quite rare, with fewer than 5 births per year. Overall, over a span of nearly a century (1922-2017), there were a total of 776 babies named Donnel.