Meaning and Origins of the Name Donna

Donna is a female given name that means “lady” in Italian. However, it is also sometimes used as a feminine form of Donald, which is a Celtic name.

The old Gaelic version of Donald is Domhnall, which means “ruler of the world.” The Celtic words dumno (world) and val (rule) are the roots of “Donald.” So, the female name “Donna” may be interpreted in this way for those looking for a Celtic name.

Popularity

The popularity of Donna reached its peak around the year 1960. Since then, popularity has been steadily declining. It ranks very low in popularity in the United States and the United Kingdom today.

Famous people with the Donna name

• Donna Lewis – Welsh singer-songwriter. Her most famous hit was the pop song “I Love You Always Forever,” released in 1996.
• Donna Summer – American singer, popular during the disco era.
• Donna Air – English actress, appearing in several television shows.

Useful Resources

Discover the meaning and origin of other Welsh girls’ names.