Donley Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Donley has its roots in Irish culture, specifically derived from the Gaelic 'Donnchadh', meaning 'brown warrior'. Over time, it has evolved from historical forms like Donnchadh to its modern variation, Donley. The name carries traits of strength and bravery, with no direct biblical relevance. It has gained popularity in the 20th century, reflecting a growing interest in Irish names.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Donley"
Pronunciation
/ˈdɒnli/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Donley is derived from the Gaelic name 'Donnchadh', which means 'brown warrior'. It is composed of the elements 'donn', meaning 'brown', and 'chadh', meaning 'warrior' or 'battle'.
Meaning
brown warrior
Language Evolution
Donnchadh, Donnal, Donley
Historical Usage
The name Donley has been used in Ireland for centuries, but it gained popularity in other English-speaking countries during the 20th century as Irish names became more fashionable.
Variants & Derivatives
Donnely, Donal, Donalyn
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Donley is viewed as a unique and culturally rich name that reflects Irish heritage. It is appreciated for its historical significance and strong meaning.
Famous People
Donald Donley, a notable figure in the field of science., Donley McCauley, an accomplished author.
📊 Donley Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Donley Name Visualizations
✨ Donley Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 21 peak births in 1934
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in West Virginia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Donley"
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 "Donley"
"Donley" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2961st of 7545 | 125 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2043rd of 6773 | 238 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2781st of 7552 | 166 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7683rd of 10718 | 20 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 12845th of 16616 | 15 |
Regional Popularity of "Donley" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
95.07% 2237th/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) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Donley" by Generation for Female 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) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Donley"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Donley" 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 "Donley" in the United States
The name Donley is most popular in West Virginia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Donley has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Donley' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2961st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2043rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2781st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7683rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 12845th out of 16616 names. Discover how the name 'Donley' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.