Don Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Don' has Scottish and English origins, derived from the Gaelic word 'donn,' meaning 'brown' or 'dark,' and is a short form of 'Donald,' meaning 'world ruler.' It has evolved from 'Donn' to 'Donald' and finally to 'Don.' The name is associated with traits of leadership and strength. There is no biblical relevance, and it gained popularity in the 19th century. Variants include 'Donald' and 'Donn,' and it is currently viewed as a strong, classic name.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Don"
Pronunciation
/dɒn/
Origin
Scottish and English
Etymology
The name 'Don' is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word 'donn,' meaning 'brown' or 'dark.' It is also a short form of the name 'Donald,' which comes from the Gaelic 'Domhnall,' meaning 'world ruler.'
Meaning
ruler, brown
Language Evolution
Donn, Donald, Don
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, particularly in the United States as a familiar and informal name.
Variants & Derivatives
Donald, Donn, Dona
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, 'Don' is perceived as a classic, masculine name that conveys a sense of strength and authority. It is often associated with leadership.
Famous People
Don Quixote (fictional character), Donatello (Italian sculptor), Don Rickles (American comedian), Don Johnson (American actor)
📊 Don Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Don Name Visualizations
✨ Don Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,131 peak births in 1946
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Oklahoma
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Don" - Complete Guide (10 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Don". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 10 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Don" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Don"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Don"
"Don" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 137th of 7545 | 18,459 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 64th of 6773 | 62,412 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 114th of 7552 | 58,515 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 223rd of 10718 | 16,877 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 471st of 16616 | 6,441 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1098th of 24088 | 2,437 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1605th of 23106 | 1,242 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2280th of 9107 | 264 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1673rd of 9204 | 423 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2994th of 12526 | 289 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4605th of 19264 | 195 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 15632nd of 27321 | 36 |
Regional Popularity of "Don" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
6.85% 97th/1416 |
20.45% 282nd/1379 |
8.20% 194th/2366 |
4.73% 54th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
2.72% 42nd/1546 |
9.19% 143rd/1556 |
2.80% 66th/2353 |
1.75% 27th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
4.89% 109th/2227 |
7.33% 178th/2430 |
3.61% 103rd/2853 |
3.17% 88th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
7.63% 224th/2937 |
8.79% 306th/3483 |
5.46% 192nd/3518 |
5.37% 217th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
13.46% 496th/3685 |
13.63% 610th/4475 |
7.76% 403rd/5194 |
7.20% 455th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
27.48% 1259th/4582 |
28.29% 1461st/5164 |
13.67% 1000th/7313 |
15.26% 1139th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
49.10% 1956th/3984 |
37.13% 1666th/4487 |
22.81% 1556th/6822 |
25.76% 1617th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Don" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
89.07% 1377th/1546 |
- |
86.40% 2033rd/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Don"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Don" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Don" in the United States
The name Don is most popular in Oklahoma, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Don has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Don' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 137th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 64th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 114th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 223rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 471st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1098th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1605th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2280th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1673rd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2994th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4605th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 15632nd out of 27321 names. Discover how the name 'Don' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.