The name Dona is of Spanish origin and means "lord" or "dominus." It is a title of respect that was traditionally used for high-ranking individuals in medieval Spain. The name has been used as both a given name and a surname throughout history.
In the Middle Ages, Dona was commonly used as a title of address for noble women, similar to the English "lady." However, it could also be used as a given name, particularly among families with noble or high-ranking connections. Over time, the use of Dona as a given name became more widespread and it is now found in various parts of the world.
Some notable individuals with the name Dona include the Portuguese explorer Dona Maria da Piedade de Castelo Branco, who was one of the first women to explore Africa in the 19th century, and the Spanish writer Dona Juana Inés de la Cruz, who was a renowned poet and philosopher in the 17th century.
Overall, the name Dona is rich in history and tradition, with roots dating back to medieval Spain. While it may have started as a title of respect for high-ranking individuals, its use as a given name has made it a unique and distinctive choice for parents seeking a meaningful name for their child.
The name "Dona" has been given to a total of 18,846 babies in the United States over the years, based on the annual birth statistics provided. The name's popularity fluctuated significantly throughout the different decades.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of births with the name "Dona" ranged from a low of 18 in 1880 to a high of 161 in 1922. The highest peak during this period was reached in 1927, with 376 babies named Dona.
However, after the 1920s, the popularity of the name "Dona" began to decline sharply. Between the 1930s and the 1950s, the number of annual births with this name fluctuated between a low of 243 in 1963 and a high of 487 in 1954.
By the 1960s and 1970s, the popularity of "Dona" continued to decrease, with fewer than 200 babies being named Dona per year on average. This trend persisted into the 1980s and 1990s, with the number of annual births with the name "Dona" typically ranging from a low of 7 to a high of 56.
In recent years, the name "Dona" has become quite rare, with fewer than 10 babies being named Dona per year in the United States since the early 2000s. In fact, there were only 7 births with the name "Dona" in both 2016 and 2017, and just one birth each in 2021 and 2022.
Overall, while the name "Dona" was relatively popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, its popularity has declined significantly over time. Today, it is quite uncommon to encounter someone with this name in the United States.