Donley is an uncommon, distinctive given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname Ó Donnghaile, which means 'descendant of Donnchadh'. Donnchadh himself was a 10th-century chief of the O'Donnels, a prominent family in Ulster, Ireland. While not widely used today, Donley carries a rich historical heritage and is often associated with Irish ancestry.
"The name Donley experienced peaks in popularity during the early 1920s and mid-1930s, with a significant rise from 14 births in 1922 to 21 in 1934. However, it began declining steadily after World War II, dropping to just 5 births per year from 1963 onwards."