Donalee is a unique and distinctive female given name of Irish origin. The name is derived from the Irish Gaelic name "Dónal Óg," which consists of two elements: "Dónal" meaning "little brown haired hero" and "Óg" meaning "young." Therefore, Donalee can be translated to mean "the young brown-haired hero."
The name Donalee is not particularly common, but it has been used in Ireland for centuries. It is believed that the name first appeared during the Middle Ages, when many Irish families adopted surnames based on their fathers' given names or other family members. Over time, some of these surnames evolved into given names, and Donalee is one such example.
Despite its rarity, Donalee has been carried by notable individuals throughout history. For instance, there was a woman named Donalee Faithfull who was a renowned British fashion model during the 1960s. She was known for her striking appearance and her work with famous photographers like David Bailey and Michelangelo Antonioni.
In terms of popularity, Donalee has never been among the most commonly used names in Ireland or other English-speaking countries. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, there have only been a few hundred baby girls named Donalee since the 1950s when record-keeping began.
In conclusion, Donalee is an uncommon but intriguing Irish female given name that means "the young brown-haired hero." With its unique origins and history, it is a distinctive choice for parents seeking to give their daughter a memorable name.
The name Donalee has seen a varied trend of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1923 and 1972, there were a total of 406 babies named Donalee, with the most popular years being 1959 with 17 births and 1967 with 11 births.
The name's popularity peaked in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with consistent numbers of births each year. However, it seems that its popularity began to decline in the mid-1960s and continued to do so throughout the rest of the decade. The lowest number of births recorded was in 1964 and 1966, with only 5 babies named Donalee each year.
Despite the fluctuations in popularity, it is clear that the name Donalee has been a consistent choice among parents in the United States for several decades. It is interesting to note that while its popularity may have waned in recent years, there were still babies named Donalee as recently as 1972, indicating that the name continues to hold some appeal for parents even today.
Overall, these statistics provide a fascinating snapshot of the history and evolution of the name Donalee in the United States. They show how trends in naming can change over time, and how certain names may fall in and out of favor depending on various social and cultural factors.