Donnell is a name of Irish origin that has been used for both boys and girls throughout history. The name is derived from the ancient Gaelic name "Donnghal," which means "dark stranger" or "strong challenger." This name was popular among the early Irish kings, with the most notable being Donnell Caemhach O'Brien, who ruled as king of Munster in the 13th century.
The name Donnell has also been associated with the legendary Fianna, a group of mythical Celtic warriors. According to legend, one of the leaders of the Fianna was named Donnell, and he was known for his bravery and skill in battle.
Today, the name Donnell is still used as a given name, but it has become less common compared to its popularity during the Middle Ages. Despite this, it remains a unique and meaningful name with a rich history behind it.
The name Donnell experienced a significant rise in popularity from the 1940s onwards, with a marked increase starting around 1950. Between 1950 and 1960, the number of annual births with the name Donnell more than doubled, peaking at 263 births in 1962. This high popularity continued throughout the 1960s and 1970s, with over 200 births per year each decade. However, starting from the late 1970s, there was a steady decline in the usage of the name Donnell, dropping below 100 births per year by the mid-1980s and continuing to decrease until the late 1990s, when it reached its lowest point with only 23 births in 2023. Overall, from 1912 to 2023, there have been a total of 14,231 births with the name Donnell.