The name Don is of Spanish and Italian origin, meaning "lord" or "master". It is derived from the Latin word "dominus", which was used as a title for the lord of a manor or estate.
In Spain, Don is often used as a title of respect before a man's first name. For example, Don Juan refers to a famous character in Spanish literature who was known for his charm and seduction of women. In Italy, it is used similarly, but more commonly after the person's first name, such as Giovanni Don.
The name Don has been popular throughout history, with notable figures including Don Quixote, the main character in Miguel de Cervantes' classic novel "Don Quixote de la Mancha", and Don Juan Tenorio, a Spanish play written by José Zorrilla. Additionally, many famous people have borne the name Don, such as American singer Don McLean, Italian footballer Donaldo Donadoni, and Irish playwright Donagh MacDonagh.
Overall, the name Don has a rich history and cultural significance, making it a popular choice for parents looking to give their child a strong and meaningful name.
The name Don has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the name was moderately popular, with around 30 to 70 births per year between 1880 and 1910.
However, starting from 1912, the popularity of the name Don began to increase dramatically. In that year alone, there were 332 births, which more than tripled the number of births in the previous year. This trend continued throughout the 1920s and 1930s, with over 3,000 births per year recorded between 1927 and 1945.
The name Don reached its peak popularity in the United States in 1946, with a total of 4,110 births that year. However, this was short-lived, as the popularity of the name began to decline steadily throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
By the 1970s, the name Don had fallen out of favor, with fewer than 1,000 births per year recorded between 1970 and 1980. This trend continued into the 1990s and 2000s, with the number of births per year dropping to around 100 or less.
In recent years, the name Don has seen a slight resurgence in popularity, with over 100 births recorded each year between 2015 and 2023. However, it remains far less popular than it was during its peak in the mid-20th century. Overall, there have been a total of 167,445 births named Don in the United States since 1880.