Donelle is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. Its origins can be traced back to the French surname "Donat," which was derived from the Latin personal name "Donatus." This name was borne by several early Christian saints, including Donatus of Bombarale, Donatus of Fiesole, and Donatus of Arezzo.
The name Donelle is believed to have been introduced in America during the mid-20th century. It has since gained popularity as a girls' name, particularly among families looking for unique and unconventional names for their daughters.
While there is no definitive meaning associated with the name Donelle, it is often interpreted as "gift from God." This interpretation comes from the Latin word "donatus," which means "given" or "bestowed." However, some sources suggest that Donelle may also be derived from the French name "Donatienne," which means "gift of God."
Today, Donelle remains a relatively uncommon given name. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it has never ranked among the top 1000 most popular girls' names in the United States. Despite its rarity, however, the name Donelle continues to be chosen by parents who appreciate its unique sound and historical significance.
In summary, Donelle is a rare and distinctive given name of American origin with French roots. Its meaning is often interpreted as "gift from God," although some sources suggest alternative interpretations. While it has never gained widespread popularity, Donelle remains an appealing choice for parents seeking a unique and meaningful name for their daughters.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Donelle has seen varying popularity over several decades in the United States.
Starting from the 1920s to the late 1940s, the number of births with the name Donelle fluctuated between a low of 5 and a high of 11. This indicates that during this period, the name was not very common but did have some presence among newborns.
The trend began to shift in the early 1950s when the number of births with the name Donelle started to increase steadily. Between 1952 and 1964, there were at least 19 births each year, reaching a peak of 36 births in 1967. This period marked a significant rise in popularity for the name Donelle.
However, this increased popularity was short-lived as the number of births with the name began to decline after the mid-1960s. From 1965 onwards, the annual number of births with the name Donelle fluctuated but generally showed a decreasing trend. The highest recorded birth in this period was 42 in 1970, which was still lower than the peak in the late 1960s.
The decrease in popularity continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with fewer than 30 births each year. The years 1990 to 1995 saw even fewer births with the name Donelle, with only double-digit figures recorded in some of those years.
In the early 2000s, the popularity of the name Donelle reached its lowest point in recent history with only 5 births each year in 2000 and 2002. However, there was a slight increase in popularity again in 2007 with 7 births recorded.
In total, there have been 1,127 births with the name Donelle in the United States since records began until 2007. This shows that while the name has not been extremely popular at any given time, it has maintained a consistent presence among newborns over the decades.