Donald
Donald is a masculine given name derived from the Gaelic name Dòmhnall. This comes from the Proto-Celtic *Dumno-ualos ("world-ruler" or "world-wielder"). The final -d in Donald is partly derived from a misinterpretation of the Gaelic pronunciation by English speakers, and partly associated with the spelling of similar-sounding Germanic names, such as Ronald. A short form of Donald is Don. Pet forms of Donald include Donnie and Donny. The feminine given name Donella is derived from Donald.
| Pronunciation | /ˈdɒnəld/ |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Language(s) | English, Scottish Gaelic |
| Origin | |
| Word/name | Domhnall, Dómhnall, Dòmhnall, Domhnull, Dòmhnull |
| Derivation | Proto-Celtic *dumno-ualos |
| Meaning | "world ruler", "world wielder" |
| Other names | |
| Short form(s) | Don |
| Pet form(s) | Donnie, Donny, Dolly |
| Cognate(s) | Domnall, Dónal, Donal, Donall, Donnell, Dolan, Dyfnwal, Dumnagual |
| Derivative(s) | Donella |
Donald has cognates in other Celtic languages: Modern Irish Dónal (anglicised as Donal and Donall); Scottish Gaelic Dòmhnall, Domhnull and Dòmhnull; Welsh Dyfnwal and Cumbric Dumnagual. Although the feminine given name Donna is sometimes used as a feminine form of Donald, the names are not etymologically related.
| Pronunciation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Irish: | Dónall | |
| Pronunciation: | [ˈd̪ˠoːnˠəl̪ˠ] | |
| Manx Gaelic: | Dolyn | |
| Pronunciation: | [ˈdðolən] | |
| Scottish Gaelic: | Dòmhnall | |
| Pronunciation: | [ˈt̪õːəl̪ˠ] | |