Donald is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic words "don" meaning "dark" or "frowning," and "val" which means "strength." Thus, Donald translates to "strong and dark" or "powerful and severe."
The name Donald has been popular throughout history, with notable figures such as Donald MacDonald, who was a Scottish warrior and chieftain of the Clan Donald in the 13th century. Another historical figure named Donald is Saint Donald, also known as Donnán of Eigg, who was an Irish abbot and missionary active during the 8th century.
The name Donald has been used consistently throughout history but gained significant popularity during the mid-20th century. It reached its peak popularity in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s, where it consistently ranked within the top ten boys' names each year from 1946 to 1958.
Today, Donald remains a popular name for boys, often shortened as Donnie or Don. It is recognized around the world due to its historical significance and widespread usage across various cultures and countries.
The name Donald experienced significant popularity growth around the early to mid-20th century, peaking between 1924 and 1930 with over 170 births per year. However, it declined considerably from the late 1930s onwards, with fewer than 50 births annually recorded from 1978 onwards. Since the early 1990s, the name has become quite rare, with less than 20 births reported per year up until 2004. Overall, there were a total of 5561 births named Donald during this period.