Donald is a boys' name of Scottish origin that means "powerful chief". It has been used in Scotland for centuries and was often given to the eldest sons of prominent families. The name Donald is derived from the Gaelic word "Domhnall", which consists of two elements: "dòmhnaich" meaning "world" or "universal" and "maol" meaning "bald". Therefore, Donald can be translated as "chief of the world" or "ruler of the universe".
The name Donald gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century. It was brought to England by Scottish settlers and eventually became a common name in England, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Some notable figures who bear the name Donald include Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States; Sir Donald Bradman, an Australian cricketer; and Donald Sutherland, a Canadian actor.
In literature, Donald is also the name of the main character in "Donald Duck", a popular comic strip created by Disney. The character was first introduced in 1934 and has since become one of Mickey Mouse's closest friends.
Overall, Donald is a strong and traditional boys' name with Scottish origins that carries a powerful meaning. It has been used throughout history and continues to be popular today among families around the world.
The name Donald has a fascinating history of usage in the United States. In the late 1950s, there was an increase in its popularity, with 6 babies named Donald in 1959 compared to just 5 in 1955. This slight uptick indicates that the name was gaining some traction during this period. Overall, between these two years, a total of 11 children were given the name Donald.