Girl · 9th of 12,526
Donna
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
833,769
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1959
Peak Popularity Year
36,540
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Donna stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Donna is an Italian name meaning 'lady' or 'woman'. It evolved from the Latin 'domina' through Italian into English. The name conveys traits of femininity and respect. It has no biblical significance and gained popularity in English-speaking countries in the mid-20th century. Today, it is seen as a classic name with a warm image, and notable figures include singer Donna Summer and fashion designer Donna Karan.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdɒnə/
Origin
Italian
Etymology
The name Donna is derived from the Italian word 'donna' meaning 'lady' or 'woman'. It is a feminine form of the title 'Don', which is used to denote respect.
Meaning
lady, woman
Language Evolution
Latin: domina, Italian: donna, English: Donna
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s.
Variants & Derivatives
Dona, Donnie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Donna is perceived as a classic and somewhat vintage name, often associated with warmth and femininity.
Famous People
Donna Summer, an American singer, Donna Karan, an American fashion designer, Donna Tartt, an American author
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 36,540 peak births in 1959
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4998th of 7545 | 32 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1162nd of 6773 | 629 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1011th of 7552 | 1,037 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1668th of 10718 | 453 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6816th of 16616 | 82 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 180th of 9107 | 21,555 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 23rd of 9204 | 166,604 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 9th of 12526 | 495,454 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 37th of 19264 | 125,073 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 279th of 27321 | 15,470 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 815th of 35406 | 5,058 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1689th of 30306 | 1,538 |