Pronunciation | /ˈdɒnəld/ |
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Gender | Male |
Language(s) | English, Scottish Gaelic |
Word/name | Domhnall, Dómhnall, Dòmhnall, Domhnull, Dòmhnull |
Derivation | Proto-Celtic *dumno-ualos |
Meaning | "world ruler", "world wielder" |
Short form(s) | Don |
Pet form(s) | Donnie, Donny, |
Cognate(s) | Domnall, Dónal, Donal, Donall, Dyfnwal, Dumnagual |
Derivative(s) | Donella |
Pronunciation | ||
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Irish: | Dónall | |
Pronunciation: | [ˈd̪ˠoːnˠəl̪ˠ] | |
Manx Gaelic: | Dolyn | |
Pronunciation: | [ˈdɔlən] | |
Scottish Gaelic: | Dòmhnall | |
Pronunciation: | [ˈt̪õː.əl̪ˠ] |
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.
Donald has cognates in other Celtic languages: Modern Irish Dónal (anglicised as Donal and Donall);Scottish Gaelic Dòmhnall,Domhnull and Dòmhnull;Welsh and Cumbric . Although the feminine given name Donna is sometimes used as a feminine form of Donald, the names are not etymologically related.
Domnall or Domhnall is the name of many ancient and medieval Gaelic kings and noblemen: