Donald is a popular given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Old English elements "dun" meaning brown and "wald" meaning rule or power. Therefore, Donald means "ruler of the people with brown hair." The name was first introduced to Scotland by the Normans during the 12th century.
The popularity of the name Donald can be attributed to a few significant historical figures. One notable figure is Donald II, who was King of Alba (now known as Scotland) in the early 9th century. Another famous person with this name is Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, whose presidency has contributed to an increase in popularity for the name among newborns.
Today, Donald remains a popular choice among parents looking for a strong and traditional name for their sons. It is considered a classic name that can be found across many countries around the world. Despite its Scottish origins, it has been widely adopted by other cultures, particularly English-speaking ones such as those in North America and Australia.
In literature and popular culture, Donald appears as the main character in some notable works. For instance, it is the first name of Donald Duck, a popular Disney cartoon character who first appeared in print in 1934. Additionally, the name was used by author Donald Barthelme for his short story collection entitled "Donald: The Stories of Donald Barthelme.
The name Donald experienced a brief period of popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century. According to data from the Social Security Administration, there were six babies named Donald in 1953, followed by five births in 1958, and then another spike with six births each in 1959 and 1962. In total, over these four years, there were 23 babies born in the United States named Donald. This data suggests that while Donald was not one of the most popular names during this time period, it did maintain a steady presence among newborns across several consecutive years.