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Dona

Girl name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Dona: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 1974.

Dona is most familiar as a variant of Donna, an Italian name rooted in the Latin *domina*, meaning "lady" or "mistress of the house." It gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the mid-20th century, partly thanks to Hollywood glamour. Notable bearers include Dona Massin, a Canadian actress known for stage and screen, and Dona Bailey, an early video game designer who co-created the arcade classic *Centipede* at Atari. While no major places are named directly after a Dona, the name shares its etymological root with many Italian towns and regions, such as Domodossola. As a further note, Dona can also be a short form of Madonna or a feminine form of Donald in some Scottish and Irish traditions, though the Italian-derived version remains the most widespread.