Donella is a unique and distinctive given name of Italian origin, derived from the Latin 'domina', meaning 'lady' or 'mistress'. It is often used as a feminine form of the Italian surname Donelli, which translates to 'little master'. The name has been historically used in Italy but is relatively uncommon elsewhere. In recent years, however, it has started to gain international recognition and usage.
The name Donella had its peak popularity between the years 1946 and 1952, with a total of 372 births during this period. However, since then, its usage has declined significantly, with only 6 births recorded in the last decade (2008-2018).