Donald is a Scottish masculine

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...

. It is derived from the Gaelic name ''Dòmhnall''.. This comes from the

Proto-Celtic Proto-Celtic, or Common Celtic, is the hypothetical ancestral proto-language of all known Celtic languages, and a descendant of Proto-Indo-European. It is not attested in writing but has been partly Linguistic reconstruction, reconstructed throu ...

*''Dumno-ualos'' ("world-ruler" or "world-wielder"). The final -''d'' in ''Donald'' is partly derived from a misinterpretation of the Gaelic pronunciation by English speakers. A short form of Donald is Don, and pet forms of Donald include Donnie and Donny. The feminine given name Donella is derived from Donald. ''Donald'' has cognates in other Celtic languages:

Modern Irish Irish (Standard Irish: ), also known as Irish Gaelic or simply Gaelic ( ), is a Celtic language of the Indo-European language family. It is a member of the Goidelic languages of the Insular Celtic sub branch of the family and is indigenous ...

''Dónal'' (anglicised as ''Donal'' and ''Donall'');.

Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic (, ; Endonym and exonym, endonym: ), also known as Scots Gaelic or simply Gaelic, is a Celtic language native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a member of the Goidelic language, Goidelic branch of Celtic, Scottish Gaelic, alongs ...

''Dòmhnall'', ''Domhnull'' and ''Dòmhnull''; Welsh '' Dyfnwal'' and Cumbric ''Dumnagual''. Although the feminine given name '' Donna'' is sometimes used as a feminine form of ''Donald'', the names are not etymologically related.

Variations

Kings and noblemen

Domnall or Domhnall is the name of many ancient and medieval Gaelic kings and noblemen: *

Dyfnwal Moelmud Dyfnwal Moelmud ( Welsh for "Dyfnwal the Bald and Silent"; ; ) was accounted as an early king and lawmaker among the Welsh, credited with the codification of their standard units of measure. He also figures as a legendary king of the Britons ...

(Dunvallo Molmutius), legendary king of pre-Roman Britain *

Dyfnwal Hen Dyfnwal Hen or Dumnagual Hen ("Dyfnwal the Old") was a ruler of the Britons (historical), Brittonic kingdom of Kingdom of Strathclyde, Alt Clut, later known as Strathclyde, probably sometime in the early 6th century. His biography is vague, but he ...

(Dumnagual I), Ruler of Alt Clut (Strathclyde) (450–475) *

Domnall Brecc Domnall Brecc (Welsh: ''Dyfnwal Frych''; English: ''Donald the Freckled'') (died 642 in Strathcarron) was king of Dál Riata, in modern Scotland, from about 629 until 642. He was the son of Eochaid Buide. He was counted as Donald II of Scotland ...

, king of Dál Riata (d. 642) *

Domnall mac Áedo Domnall mac Áedo (died 642), also known as Domnall II, was an Irish king and son of Áed mac Ainmuirech and his consort Land, the daughter of Áed Guaire mac Amalgada of Airgíalla. Domnall was High King of Ireland from 628 until his death. He ...

, High King of the

Northern Uí Néill The Northern Uí Néill was any of several dynasties in north-western medieval Ireland that claimed descent from a common ancestor, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Other dynasties in central and eastern Ireland who also claimed descent from Niall ar ...

and Ireland (d. 642) * Domnall Midi, High King of Clann Cholmáin and Ireland (d. 763) * Domnall mac Ailpín (812–863) * Donald II of Scotland (889–900) * Domnall mac Eimín, Mormaer of Mar (d. 1014) * Donald III of Scotland (1033–1099) * Domnall Gerrlámhach, King of Dublin (d. 1135) * Domnall Ua Lochlainn, High King of Ireland (1083 and 1121) * Domhnall I, Earl of Mar (1276–1301) * Domhnall II, Earl of Mar (1305–1332) * Domhnall, Earl of Lennox (1333–1365) * Dyfnwal, King of Strathclyde (d. 908×915), also known by the names ''Donald'', ''Domhnall'', and ''Domnall'' * Dyfnwal ab Owain (d. 975), also known by the names ''Donald'' and ''Domnall'' * Owain ap Dyfnwal (fl. 934)

People with the given name

Domhnall

* Domhnall mac Conchobair Ó Briain (died 1579), Gaelic Irish military leader * Domhnall Gleeson (born 1983), Irish actor * Domhnall mac Dáire Mac Bruaideadha (fl. c. 1600), Irish poet * Domhnall MacAuley (born 1957), Scottish physician and professor * Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna (1887–1967), Scottish Gaelic poet

Don

* Don Adams (1923–2005), American actor, comedian and director * Don Airey (born 1948), English keyboardist *

Don Ameche Don Ameche (; born Dominic Felix Amici; May 31, 1908 – December 6, 1993) was an American actor, comedian and vaudevillian. After playing in college shows, repertory theatre, and vaudeville, he became a major radio star in the early 19 ...

(1908–1993), Hollywood actor * Don Barksdale (1923–1993), American basketball player * Don Bertoia, Canadian middle-distance runner * Don Bluth (born 1937), animator, film director, producer, writer, production designer, video game designer and independent studio owner * Don Bowman (singer) (1937–2013), American comedian, country music singer, and songwriter * Don Callis (born 1963), Canadian professional wrestler, wrestling manager, and actor * Don Cazayoux (born 1964), American lawyer and politician *

Don Chaffey Donald Chaffey (5 August 1917 – 13 November 1990) was a British film director, writer, Film producer, producer, and art director. Chaffey's film career began as an art director in 1947, and his directorial debut was in 1953. He remained acti ...

(1917–1990), British film director, writer, producer, and art director * Don Chard, Canadian politician *

Don Cheadle Donald Frank Cheadle Jr. (, ; born November 29, 1964) is an American actor. Known for his roles in film and television, he has received List of awards and nominations received by Don Cheadle, multiple accolades including two Golden Globe Award ...

(born 1964), American actor and producer * Don Cherry (born 1934), Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and television commentator * Don Cherry (American football) (born 1994), American football player * Don Cherry (singer) (1924–2018), American singer and golfer * Don Cherry (trumpeter) (1936–1995), American jazz trumpeter * Don R. Christensen (1916–2006), American animator, cartoonist, and writer * Don Christopher (1934–2022), American farmer * Don Ciccone (1946–2016), American singer-songwriter, member of the band The Critters * Don Cornelius (1936–2012), American television show host and producer * Don Cornell (1919–2004), stage name of Luigi Varlaro, American singer * Dominick Don Costa (1925–1983), American conductor and record producer * Don Covay (1936–2015), American singer and songwriter * Don Criqui (born 1950), American sportscaster * Don Diablo (born 1980), Dutch DJ, record producer, musician and songwriter of electronic music * Don Digirolamo, American re-recording mixer * Don Dokken (born 1953), American singer, lead singer of Dokken * Don Drysdale (1936–1993), American baseball pitcher and sportscaster * Don Dunstan (1926–1999), South Australian politician * Don Estelle (1933–2003), British actor and singer * Don Everly (1937–2021), American country-influenced rock and roll singer and guitarist * Don Felder (born 1947), American singer-songwriter and guitarist, former member of the Eagles * Don Frye (born 1965), American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler * Don Forsht, American politician * Don Garber (born 1957), American sports executive * Don Gardner (1931–2018), American singer-songwriter *

Don Gibson Donald Eugene Gibson (April 3, 1928 – November 17, 2003) was an American songwriter and country musician. A Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Gibson wrote such country standards as " Sweet Dreams" and " I Can't Stop Loving You", and enjo ...

(1928–2003), American songwriter and country musician * Don Gilman (1934–2005), American politician * Don Goldstein (1937–2022), American basketball player * Don Gorske (born 1953), “Big Mac” Enthusiast and Guinness World Record holder of most Big Macs eaten * Don Gullett (born 1951), American baseball pitcher * Don Gullick (1924–2000), Welsh rugby union and rugby league footballer and coach * Don Hasselbeck (born 1955), American football player * Don Henley (born 1947), founding member of the

Eagles Eagle is the common name for the golden eagle, bald eagle, and other birds of prey in the family of the Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of Genus, genera, some of which are closely related. True eagles comprise the genus ''Aquila ( ...

rock group * Don Herbert (1917–2007), television's "Mr. Wizard" * Don Hewitt (1922–2009), American television news producer * Don Ho (1930–2007), American pop musician, singer and entertainer * Don Hutson (1913–1997), American football player * Don Imus (1940–2019), American radio and television host *

Don Johnson Don Wayne Johnson (born December 15, 1949) is an American actor and singer-songwriter. He played the role of James "Sonny" Crockett in the 1980s television series '' Miami Vice'', for which he won a Golden Globe, and received a Primetime Emm ...

(born 1949), American actor, producer and singer * Don Johnson (basketball) (1930–2019), American basketball player and coach * Don Johnson (sports executive) (1930–2012), Canadian sports executive and president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association * Don King (boxing promoter) (born 1931), American boxing promoter * Don King (coach) (born 1926), American football player and coach * Don King (defensive back) (born 1964), American football player * Don King (defensive lineman) (1929–2014), American football player * Don King (musician) (born 1954), American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and trumpeter * Don King (photographer) (born 1960), American photographer, cinematographer, and film director * Don Roy King (born 1947), American television director * Don Kirshner (1934–2011), American music publisher, rock music producer, talent manager, and songwriter *

Don Knotts Jesse Donald Knotts (July 21, 1924February 24, 2006) was an American actor and comedian. He is widely known for his role as Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on the 1960s sitcom ''The Andy Griffith Show'', for which he earned five Emmy Awards. He als ...

(1924–2006), American actor and comedian * Don Larsen (1929–2020), American baseball player * Don Lemon (born 1966), American television personality and current host of CNN Tonight * Don L. Lind (1930–2022), American scientist and a former naval officer and aviator, and NASA astronaut * Don MacLean (basketball) (born 1970), American basketball player and color commentator * Don Marion Davis (1917–2020), American child actor * Don Mattingly, American pro baseball player for the New York Yankees and manager of the LA Dodgers; aka "Donnie Baseball" and "The Hitman" * Don McLean (born 1945), American singer-songwriter and musician *

Don Messick Donald Earle Messick (September 7, 1926 – October 24, 1997) was an American voice actor, known for his performances in Hanna-Barbera cartoons. His best-remembered voice roles include Scooby-Doo; Bamm-Bamm Rubble and Hoppy in ''The Flintsto ...

(1926–1997), American voice actor * Don Murray (1929–2024), American actor * Don Nelson (born 1940), American basketball player and coach * Don Nelson (screenwriter) (1927–2013), American screenwriter, film producer, and jazz musician * Don Nickles (born 1948), American politician * Don Omar (born 1978), Puerto Rican rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor * Don Paterson (born 1963), Scottish poet, writer and musician * Don Patinkin (1922–1995), Israeli-American economist, and President of the

Hebrew University of Jerusalem The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI; ) is an Israeli public university, public research university based in Jerusalem. Co-founded by Albert Einstein and Chaim Weizmann in July 1918, the public university officially opened on 1 April 1925. ...

* Don Payne, American writer and producer * Don Quarrie (born 1951), Jamaican sprinter * Don Reid (born 1945), lead singer of American country group The Statler Brothers *

Don Rickles Donald Jay Rickles (May 8, 1926 – April 6, 2017) was an American stand-up comedian and actor. He was known primarily for his insult comedy. His film roles include ''Run Silent, Run Deep (film), Run Silent, Run Deep'' (1958), ''Enter Laughing ...

(1926–2017), American stand-up comedian * Don Robesky (1906–2002), American football player * Don Rondo (1930–2011), American singer * Don Shula (1930–2020), American football coach * Don Slater (born 1954), British sociologist * Don Trahan (born 1949), American golfer, father of D. J. Trahan * Don Van Vliet (1941–2010), American singer, songwriter and musician, also known as Captain Beefheart * Don Warrington (born 1951), Trinidadian-born British actor * Don Waterman (born 1950), American racing driver * Don Webb (American football) (born 1939), American football player * Don Webb (playwright), English playwright and dramatist * Don Webb (writer) (born 1960), American science fiction, mystery, and horror writer * Don Wilson (American football) (born 1961), American football player * Don Wilson (announcer) (1900–1982), American radio and television announcer and actor * Don Wilson (Australian footballer) (1914–2015), Australian footballer * Don Wilson (baseball) (1945–1975), American baseball pitcher * Don Wilson (cricketer) (1927–2012), English cricketer * Don Wilson (pastor) (born 1949), American Christian pastor and creationist * Don E. Wilson (born 1944), American zoologist * Don M. Wilson III (born 1948), American banker and corporate director * Don W. Wilson (born 1942), American historian and archivist *

Don Williams Donald Ray Williams (May 27, 1939 – September 8, 2017) was an American country music singer, songwriter, and 2010 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Country Music Hall of Fame. He began his solo career in 1971, singing p ...

(1939–2017), American singer-songwriter * Don Williams (guard) (1919–2001), American football player * Don Williams (American football coach) (1927–2013), American football, track and field coach * Don Williams (footballer, born 1935) (1935–1995), Australian rules footballer * Don Williams (footballer, born 1939) (born 1939), Australian rules footballer * Don Williams (poker player) (1942–2013), American poker player * Don Williams (racing driver) (1947–1989), American racing driver * Don Zewin (1952–2021), American professional poker player

Donal

* Donal Kelly (1938–2025), Irish journalist and broadcaster * Donal Logue (born 1969), Canadian actor * Donal MacIntyre (born 1966), Irish investigative reporter * Donal Murray (bishop) (1940–2024), Roman Catholic Bishop of Limerick (1996–2009) * Donal O'Brien (disambiguation), several individuals * Donal O'Donoghue (1894–1971), Irish Fianna Fáil politician * Donal O'Shea, Canadian mathematician * Donal O'Sullivan (disambiguation), several individuals * Donal Roe MacCarthy Mór (died 1302), 13th-century noble of Ireland, Prince of the Kingdom of Desmond * Donal MacCarthy Reagh (1450/1460–1531), 9th Prince of Carbery (1505–1531) * Donal Skehan (born 1986), Irish singer, television personality/presenter, food writer/cook and photographer

Dónal

* Dónal Lunny (born 1947), Irish folk musician * Donal Óg Cusack (born 1977), Irish hurler

Donald

* Donald Alarie (born 1945), Canadian writer * Donald Ardell, American politician * Donald Bailey (1934–2013), American jazz drummer * Donald Bradman (1908–2001), Australian cricketer * Donald Brashear (born 1972), American ice hockey player * Donald Burgess (born 1933), British track cyclist * Donald Byrd (1932–2013), American jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter * Donald Cameron (born 1954), Australian water polo player and coach * Donald Campbell (1921–1967), British speed record breaker * Donald M. Campbell Jr. (born 1955), retired commanding general of United States Army Europe * Donald Capelle, Marshallese politician * Donald Chumley (born 1962), American football player *

Donald Crisp Donald William Crisp (27 July 188225 May 1974) was an English people, English film actor as well as an early producer, director and screenwriter. His career lasted from the early silent film era into the 1960s. He won an Academy Award for Best S ...

(1882–1974), English filmmaker * Donald D. Deshler (born 1947), American educator * Donald D'Alesio, American football coach * Donald Dewar (1937–2000), Scottish statesman * Donald Disney, Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers * Donald Driver (born 1975), American football player * Donald "Duck" Dunn (1941–2012), American bass guitarist * Donald Fagen (born 1948), American musician * Donald Faison (born 1974), American actor and comedian * Donald Foss (1945–2022), American billionaire * Donald Friese (born 1940), American billionaire * Donald Henry Gaskins (1933–1991), American cannibalistic serial killer, rapist, and thief * Donald Geisler (born 1978), Filipino taekwondo athlete * Donald Glover (born 1983), American actor, musician, writer, comedian, and producer * Donald Gordon (cricketer) (born 1990), English cricketer * Donald J. Guter (born 1948), American lawyer, academic administrator, and retired United States Navy rear admiral * Donald Hawkins (born 1992), American football player *

Donald Harvey Donald Harvey (April 15, 1952 – March 30, 2017) was an American serial killer who claimed to have murdered 87 people, though he has 37 confirmed victims. He was able to do this during his time as a hospital orderly. His spree took place ...

(1952–2017), American serial killer * Donald Hewagama (1926–2009), Sri Lankan Sinhala Judge Advocate General * Donald Hewlett (1922–2011), British actor * Donald Hill-Eley (born 1969), American football coach and former player * Donald Thomas Hornstein, American law professor * Donald Izacus Panjaitan (1925–1965), Indonesian general * Donald Izzett (born 1975), American man who has been missing since 1995 * Donald Eugene Fields II (born 1964) FBI's most wanted fugitive * Donald Keene (1922–2019), American-Japanese literary scholar *

Donald Knuth Donald Ervin Knuth ( ; born January 10, 1938) is an American computer scientist and mathematician. He is a professor emeritus at Stanford University. He is the 1974 recipient of the ACM Turing Award, informally considered the Nobel Prize of comp ...

(born 1938), American computer scientist * Donald Woodward Lee (1910–1977), American philologist * Donald Maclean (spy) (1913–1983), British diplomat and Soviet spy * Donald MacCormick (1939–2009), Scottish journalist * Donald R. MacLeod (1902–1976), Canadian politician * Donald Marmen, Canadian politician * Donald Albert Marshall (born 1932), Canadian politician * Donald McFarlane, British-American politician * Donald R. McMonagle (born 1952), American astronaut * Donald Moatshe (born 1985), South African musician * Donald Mote (1900–1968), American judge * Donald W. Munro (1916–1998), Canadian politician * Donald "Don" Muraco (born 1939), American retired wrestler * Donald Nicol (1843–1903), Scottish politician * Donald Nicolaisen (1944–2019), American politician * Donald Nixon (1914–1987), younger brother of the 37th U.S. president, Richard Nixon * Donald Obeyesekere (1888-1964), Sri Lankan Sinhala legislator * Donald O'Connor (1925–2003), American dancer, singer, and actor * Donald of Ogilvy (Saint Donald) * Donald Parham (born 1997), American football player * Donald Perera, 11th commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force * Donald H. Peterson (1933–2018), United States Air Force colonel and astronaut * Donald Pettit (born 1955), American chemical engineer and astronaut * Donald Pleasence (1919–1995), English actor * Donald E. Polkinghorne (1936–2018), American academic and psychologist * Donald Ramotar (born 1950), 8th president of Guyana * Donald Jasen Ranaweera (1921–2000), Sri Lankan Sinhala planter, press baron, and politician * Donald Richie (1924–2013), American-born author who wrote about the Japanese people and culture * Donald A. Ritchie (born 1945), Historian Emeritus of the United States Senate * Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser (born 1947), American musician, guitarist for Blue Öyster Cult * Donald Rumsfeld (1932–2021), American businessman and government official * Donald Sanford (born 1987), American-Israeli Olympic sprinter * Donald Sild (born 1968), Estonian javelin thrower * Donald "Deke" Slayton (1924–1993), American astronaut * Donald Spero (born 1939), American world champion rower * Donald Sterling (born 1934), American billionaire * Donald Sutherland (1935–2024), Canadian actor * Donald A. Thomas (born 1955), American engineer and astronaut * Donald J. Trahan, Jr. (born 1980), American golfer * Donald Triplett (1933–2023), first person to be diagnosed with

autism Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction, a preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing d ...

Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 45 ...

(born 1946), President of the United States, businessman * Donald Tsang (born 1944), former Hong Kong civil servant * Donald Tusk (born 1957), Prime Minister of Poland, former President of the European Council * Donald Wailan-Walalangi (born 1960), Indonesian tennis player * Donald Watson (1910–2005), English animal rights advocate * Donald W. Webber (1906–1995), justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court * Donald Whiston (1927–2020), American ice hockey player * Donald Whitton (1923–2018), Canadian cellist and teacher * Donald E. Williams (1942–2016), United States Navy captain, aviator, mechanical engineer and astronaut * Donald Williamson (disambiguation), multiple people * Donald Wilson (disambiguation), multiple people *

Donald Young (tennis) Donald Oliver Young Jr. (born July 23, 1989) is an American professional pickleball player with the American PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball, and also a former professional tennis player. Young had a tennis career-high Association of Tennis ...

(born 1989), American tennis player

Donaldo

Donaldo Arza Donaldo Arza (born 15 August 1946) is a Panamanian middle-distance running, middle-distance runner who has represented his country in international competitions. He competed in the Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 800 metres, men' ...

(born 1946), Panamanian track and field athlete * Donaldo González (born 1971), Panamanian footballer * Donaldo Hontiveros (born 1977), Filipino basketball player * Donaldo Macedo (born 1950), American academic * Donaldo Méndez (born 1978), Venezuelan baseball player * Donaldo Morales (born 1982), Honduran footballer * Donaldo Ortiz Colín (born 1961), Mexican politician * Donaldo Ernesto Reyes (born 1939), Honduran lawyer and politician

Donnell

* Donnell Ballagh O'Cahan (died 1627), Irish landowner and rebel * Donnell Rawlings (born 1968), comedian

Fictional characters

* Donald, a fictional Scottish locomotive in ''The Railway Series'' books * Donald Blake, the secret identity of The Mighty Thor, from

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...

* Donald Duck, Disney animated cartoon and comic-book character * Donnie Darko, protagonist of a film of the same name * Donald "Don" Draper, protagonist of the AMC television series ''Mad Men'' * Donald "Ducky" Mallard, character in the TV show ''NCIS'' * Donald Fisher, fictional character portrayed by Norman Coburn in Home and Away * Don Flamenco, a fictional Spanish boxer from the ''

Punch-Out!! is a boxing video game series created by Genyo Takeda, and published by Nintendo. The player controls Little Mac, a boxer who aims to become the World Video Boxing Association (W.V.B.A.) champion. The original '' Punch-Out!!'' arcade game w ...

'' series * Donald Morden, fictional character from the video game series Metal Slug * Sir Donald McDuck, Disney character who is an ancestor of Scrooge McDuck and Donald Duck * Donald the Scottish Twin, a fictional character from ''

The Railway Series ''The Railway Series'' is a series of British books about a railway known as the North Western Railway, located on the fictional Sodor (fictional island), Island of Sodor. There are 42 books in the series, the first published in May 1945 by Wi ...

'' and its televised adaptation ''

Thomas & Friends ''Thomas & Friends'' is a British children's television series which aired from 9 October 1984 to 20 January 2021. Based on ''The Railway Series'' books by Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher Awdry, Christopher, the series was developed for ...

'' * Donald Pierce, a

super villain

References

{{given name English-language masculine given names English masculine given names Masculine given names Scottish masculine given names