The name Donna is of Italian origin and it means "lady" in English. It was originally used as a title of respect for women of noble birth or high social status. However, over time, Donna has become popular as a given name for girls.
The use of Donna as a given name can be traced back to the 19th century, but it gained popularity during the mid-20th century. It was particularly popular in English-speaking countries like the United States and England during the 1950s and 1960s.
Donna has been borne by several notable figures throughout history, including Donna Karan, an American fashion designer known for her Donna Karan New York clothing line, and Donna Summer, a German-American singer-songwriter who was popular in the disco era. These women have helped to further popularize the name Donna as a given name.
Today, Donna continues to be used as a given name for girls around the world. It is often spelled with an "h" at the end, such as Donnah or Donnh, but the most common spelling remains Donna without any additional letters. Despite its Italian origin, Donna has been adopted by people of various cultural backgrounds and nationalities, making it a truly international name.
Overall, the name Donna has a rich history that dates back centuries, with its origins rooted in Italian culture and society. Its meaning as "lady" adds to its elegance and timelessness, while its widespread use throughout history demonstrates its enduring popularity.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Donne in the United States from 1933 to 1975, we can observe a fluctuating trend in its usage over time.
From 1933 to 1942, there were five births each year with this name. Then, in 1949 and 1950, the number of births increased slightly to five and eight respectively. After that, there was another rise between 1955 and 1960, reaching a peak of eight births per year.
However, from 1963 onwards, we see a decline in the popularity of this name, with only six births recorded in both 1968 and 1969. In 1975, there were five births again.
Overall, over these four decades (1933-1975), a total of eighty babies were named Donne at birth in the United States.