Donnell is a unique and compelling given name of English origin, derived from the Old English words 'dun' meaning dark-colored or brown, and 'hæfod' meaning head. This name is often associated with individuals who are confident, assertive, and have a strong presence. It was popular in the Middle Ages but has since become less common, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking an uncommon yet meaningful name for their child.
The name Donnell experienced a significant increase in popularity between the 1940s and late 1960s, with notable spikes in births occurring in 1957 (26), 1961 (36), and 1968 (29). However, after peaking in 1969 with 49 births, its popularity began to decline steadily. From the 1970s onwards, there were consistently fewer than 30 births per year for this name, with many years seeing only single-digit numbers of newborn Donnells. This trend continued into the late 20th century and early 21st century, with just 5 births recorded in 2006. In total, over the span of these statistics, there were 1026 births recorded for the name Donnell.