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Donal

Boy name · 7 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Donal: 7 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 4 births in 2020.

The name Donal is a Scottish and Irish form of Donald, rooted in the Gaelic name Domhnall, meaning 'world ruler' or 'ruler of the world', from the elements 'domhan' (world) and 'val' (rule). It has been borne by several notable figures, including Donal O'Neill, a 14th-century Irish king who resisted English rule, and Donal Lunny, the influential Irish folk musician and producer who co-founded the band Planxty. Place connections are less direct, though the name shares its root with several Donald-titled locations, like the village of Donald in Victoria, Australia. A further note: Donal remains a popular modern choice in Scotland and Ireland, often used as a respectful nod to heritage while feeling less formal than its full-length counterpart.

Boy 2 of 52 years

Peak year
20204 babies
Latest (2020)
#5994 babies
Total births
7since 2015
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2020 · 4
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).