Donald is of Scottish origin, derived from the ancient Gaelic 'Domhnall', which means 'ruler of the world'. It was popularized by Scottish King Donald II who reigned in the 9th century. The name has been associated with Scotland's history and culture for centuries. In English-speaking countries, it gained prominence during the Middle Ages due to the influence of Norse settlers, as they brought their own form of 'Donald' into the language. Today, Donald is often recognized worldwide due to its usage in popular culture, notably through figures like Donald Duck, a famous cartoon character created by Disney.
"Donald saw an increase in popularity between 1955 and 1959, with 6 babies named Donald born in 1959 compared to just 5 in 1955."