Donald is a name of Scottish origin, meaning "proud chief" or "powerful ruler". It is derived from the Gaelic word "Domhnall", which consists of two elements: "don" meaning "strong" and "mall" meaning "chief".
The name Donald has been popular in Scotland for centuries. It was borne by several notable historical figures, including Donald II, who ruled Scotland in the 9th century, and Donald III, who succeeded him. The name also has connections to Irish history, as it was borne by several Irish kings and chieftains.
In the United States, the name Donald became particularly popular in the mid-20th century. It peaked in popularity during the 1940s and 1950s, reaching its highest rank of number three in 1947. Today, it is still a common name in America, although its usage has declined somewhat since its peak.
Some famous people with the name Donald include former US President Donald Trump, Canadian singer-songwriter Donald "D.O." Graham, better known by his stage name Drake, and American actor Donald Sutherland. However, it should be noted that these individuals are not associated with the origin or meaning of the name itself.
The name Donald has had a fluctuating popularity over the years in the United States. In 1968, it experienced a peak with 7 births. However, its popularity decreased slightly in 1972 with only 5 births recorded that year.
The trend continued with another dip in popularity in 1983, with just 5 births registered during this period. Interestingly, there was a brief resurgence in 1985 with 7 births again recorded, but it quickly fell back to 5 births in the following year, 1986.
Overall, over these selected years from 1968 to 1986, there were a total of 41 births registered for the name Donald in the United States. Despite its ups and downs in popularity, it remains a classic name choice for parents across different decades.