Donny

Donny: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning: “world ruler”
Origin: English
Say it: DON-ee · 2 syllables
Used for: Boys

Diminutive of Donald or Donovan in some cases, but most often of Donald. Via Donald, it ultimately comes from Scottish Gaelic Dòmhnall, meaning 'world ruler.'

English names Names meaning royalty Names meaning strength Short names Classic names

How popular is Donny?

20248.7 per million US babies

Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Compare with another name

Babies named Donny in 202429

2024 rank#3,792 boys

Peak year1976

Total US babies since 188012,897

Donny is steady now but far below its 1976 peak.

Names like Donny

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

JackGod is gracious · English
Hudsonson of Hudd · English
Averyruler of elves · English
Jacksonson of Jack · English
Cartercart driver · English
Wyattbrave in war · English
Maverickindependent person · English
Masonstoneworker · English

Donny questions

What does the name Donny mean?

Donny means "world ruler". It comes from English. Diminutive of Donald or Donovan in some cases, but most often of Donald. Via Donald, it ultimately comes from Scottish Gaelic Dòmhnall, meaning 'world ruler.'

Is Donny a boy or girl name?

Donny is mainly a boy's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Donny?

29 US babies were named Donny in 2024. Its peak year was 1976.

How do you pronounce Donny?

Donny is usually pronounced DON-ee.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.