Donella
Girl name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Donella: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 1977.
The name Donella is a feminine form of Donald, with Scottish Gaelic roots stemming from the older Domhnall, meaning 'ruler of the world' or 'world-mighty', combining *dumno* (world) and *val* (rule). Its most famous bearer is Donella Meadows, the pioneering American environmental scientist and lead author of the landmark 1972 book *The Limits to Growth*, which reshaped global thinking on sustainability. No major places are directly named after a Donella, though the name shares a root with the river Don in northeastern Scotland, which may derive from a Celtic word for 'water'. A charming Scottish variant is Donella itself, while the more common Donnie or Donalda offer alternative feminizations. It remains a rare but quietly regal choice, with a scholarly, nature-connected legacy.
Girl 1 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 19773 babies
- Latest (1977)
- #5103 babies
- Total births
- 3since 1977
- 5-year trend
- ≈ stablevs prior 5y