Donna is a feminine given name of Italian origin and Latin roots. It means "lady" or "gentlewoman". The name Donna is derived from the Italian word "donna", which in turn comes from the Latin "domina", meaning "mistress" or "lady". In Italy, Donna is often used as a title of respect for women, equivalent to "Mrs." in English.
The name Donna has been popular throughout history. It was used by prominent figures such as Donna Anna, the heroine of Mozart's opera Don Giovanni, and Donna Elvira, another character in the same opera. Additionally, there have been several famous people named Donna, including American singer Donna Summer, actresses Donna Reed and Donna Murphy, and former First Lady of the United States, Donna Rice.
In literature, the name Donna appears in works such as "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas, where the heroine is named Donna Victoria. The name has also been used in various other books, movies, and television shows.
Today, Donna remains a popular choice for parents looking for a timeless and elegant name for their daughters. It has a classic sound that still feels modern and approachable. Whether you're drawn to its Italian roots, Latin meaning, or the strength and sophistication it conveys, giving your daughter the name Donna is a wonderful way to honor her future as a lady of grace and intelligence.
Based on the annual birth statistics provided for the name Donna in the United States, we can observe several trends and patterns over time.
From 1924 to 1958, there was a steady increase in the number of births with the name Donna. The highest point during this period was reached in 1958 with 70 births. This suggests that during these years, the name Donna was becoming increasingly popular among parents.
However, from 1959 onwards, we can see a decline in the popularity of the name Donna. There was a peak in 1960 with 78 births, but afterwards, the number of births with this name started to decrease steadily. This trend continued until the late 1970s and early 1980s, where we see single-digit numbers or even fewer than five births per year.
After a brief increase in the mid-1980s (with peaks in 1982 and 1983), the popularity of the name Donna continues to decrease. From 1984 onwards, there are only sporadic years with more than five births named Donna until it reaches its lowest point in 1993 with just six births.
In total, over the period from 1924 to 1993, there were 2,233 births registered with the name Donna in the United States. This data demonstrates how the popularity of a given name can fluctuate significantly over time.