Donna

Pronunciation: [ d-AHN-uh ]

Girl Name #1,937 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Timeless Italian elegance — simply 'lady'

Italian American Irish English

Classic Vintage Traditional Gentle

Meaning & Origin

"lady, woman"

Origin: Italian

Language: English

"mistress, noblewoman"

Origin: Latin

Language: Italian

The Story of Donna

Donna comes from the Italian word for 'woman' or 'lady,' derived from the Latin 'domina,' the feminine form of 'dominus' (lord, master). It entered English through Italian immigration and American naming trends in the early 20th century. In Italy, 'donna' remains an honorific — 'la Donna' (the Lady). The Italian 'Madonna' (My Lady), the most revered title in Catholicism, shares this root. In Ireland, Donna was sometimes used as an anglicization of the native name Donla.

Donna was a top-10 girls' name in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, propelled in part by the beloved 1958 Ritchie Valens hit song 'Donna.' The song's tender, romantic quality perfectly matched the name's warmth. Donna fell from fashion alongside Linda and Sandra in the 1970s-80s but carries a warm mid-century glow.

Donna Summer, born LaDonna Gaines, became the 'Queen of Disco' and one of the most successful female recording artists of the 1970s-80s. The great aria 'La Donna è Mobile' from Verdi's Rigoletto — one of opera's most recognizable pieces — elevates 'donna' to a symbol of feminine power and mystery.

Fun Facts

Donna Summer, born LaDonna Gaines, was the best-selling female recording artist of the disco era with over 130 million records sold
The song 'Donna' (1958) by Ritchie Valens was recorded the same day as 'La Bamba' and helped push the name to peak popularity
'Madonna' (My Lady) and 'Donna' share the same Latin 'domina' root — one sacred, one everyday

Donna in Other Languages

Irish Donla

Latin Domina

French Dame

Italian Donna

Spanish Doña

Famous People Named Donna

Donna Summer

Musician

1948

American singer known as the Queen of Disco, with hits including Hot Stuff, Bad Girls, and Last Dance

Donna Reed

Actor

1921

American actress and producer who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for From Here to Eternity (1953)

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,937
Total SSA Count: 102
Cultural Origins: Italian American Irish English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Don Donnie

Pairs Well With

Donna Marie Donna Jean Donna Lynn Donna Lee Donna Jo Donna Kay Donna Rae

Sibling Names

Linda Sandra Barbara Dennis Larry Gary

Also a Boy Name

Donna is also used as a boy name, ranked #20512.

View Donna as a boy name →

Similar Names

Indiana Dinah Leana Dana Dina Diane Deanna Viviana

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Donna and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Donna sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

🧝 Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
🐾 Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
🎭 Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres

Frequently Asked Questions About Donna

What does the name Donna mean?

"lady, woman" (from Italian). "mistress, noblewoman" (from Latin). Donna comes from the Italian word for 'woman' or 'lady,' derived from the Latin 'domina,' the feminine form of 'dominus' (lord, master). It entered English through Italian immigration and American naming trends in the early 20th century. In Italy, 'donna' remains an honorific — 'la Donna' (the Lady). The Italian 'Madonna' (My Lady), the most revered title in Catholicism, shares this root. In Ireland, Donna was sometimes used as an anglicization of the native name Donla.

What is the origin of the name Donna?

Donna has Italian, Latin, American, Irish, and English origins. In Italian, it means "lady, woman". In Latin, it means "mistress, noblewoman".

Is Donna a boy or girl name?

Donna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1937. As a boy name, it is ranked #20512. Donna is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Donna?

Donna is pronounced d-AHN-uh.

How popular is the name Donna?

Donna is currently ranked #1937 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Donna?

Common nicknames for Donna include Don and Donnie.

What are good middle names for Donna?

Popular middle name pairings include Donna Marie, Donna Jean, Donna Lynn, Donna Lee, Donna Jo, Donna Kay, and Donna Rae.

What are good sibling names for Donna?

Names that pair well with Donna as siblings include Linda, Sandra, Barbara, Dennis, Larry, and Gary.

How many syllables does Donna have?

Donna has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Donna a common or rare name?

Donna is an uncommon name, ranked #1937 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Donna

Donna is a girl name with Italian, American, Irish, and English origins . The name means "lady, woman" in Italian .

Is Donna a boy or girl name? Donna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,937 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #20,512. Donna is more commonly used as a girl name.

Donna is currently ranked #1,937 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Donna has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AHN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Donna include Don and Donnie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.