Donella Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Donella is a Scottish name that means 'ruler of the world' and originates from the Gaelic 'Domhnall'. It has evolved through various forms in the Gaelic language and has gained popularity in modern times, particularly in Scottish culture. The name reflects traits of strength and leadership, and it has no specific biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Donella"
Pronunciation
/dəˈnɛlə/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
The name Donella is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name 'Domhnall', which means 'ruler of the world' or 'world-mighty'.
Meaning
ruler of the world
Language Evolution
Domhnall (Old Gaelic), Donnal (Middle Gaelic), Donella (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Donella gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in Scotland and among families with Gaelic heritage.
Variants & Derivatives
Donelle, Donna, Dona
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Donella is perceived as a unique and charming name, often associated with strength and leadership.
Famous People
Donella Meadows, an environmental scientist and author known for her work on systems thinking and sustainability.
📊 Donella Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Donella Name Visualizations
✨ Donella Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 51 peak births in 1952
Geographic Spread
Popular across 6 US states, with strongest presence in South Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Donella"
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 "Donella"
"Donella" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2789th of 9107 | 186 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2142nd of 9204 | 287 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1980th of 12526 | 577 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2411th of 19264 | 524 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5746th of 27321 | 227 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 29526th of 35406 | 11 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 28476th of 30306 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Donella" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| 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) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Donella" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
88.93% 2104th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
95.69% 2131st/2227 |
- |
85.94% 2452nd/2853 |
100.00% 2775th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
77.97% 2290th/2937 |
- |
100.00% 3518th/3518 |
81.80% 3308th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Donella"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Donella" 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 "Donella" in the United States
The name Donella is most popular in South Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the MidWest region. 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, Donella has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Donella' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2789th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2142nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1980th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2411th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5746th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 29526th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 28476th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Donella' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.