Donny
Boy name · 9 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Donny: 9 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 3 births in 1979.
A familiar short form of Donald, Donny comes from the Scottish Gaelic *Domhnall*, meaning "world ruler" or "ruler of the world." It has been a friendly, boyish nickname for centuries, though it also stands on its own as a given name in its own right. The pop star Donny Osmond brought the name worldwide fame in the 1970s, while soul singer Donny Hathaway left a lasting musical legacy. There are no major place names tied directly to Donny, but it shares roots with the Irish townland of Donnybrook. As a variant, Donnie is the more common spelling in Scotland, while Donny feels slightly trendier and more modern—a warm, approachable choice that never feels overly formal.
Boy 3 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 19793 babies
- Latest (2017)
- #7333 babies
- Total births
- 9since 1979
- 5-year trend
- ≈ stablevs prior 5y