Donel
Every Donel since 1916 — 721 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Donel
Donel is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1916, 721 American babies have been named Donel. Its peak came in 1970, when 23 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Donel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Donel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | 6 | #11,087 |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | 5 | #12,790 |
| 2010 | — | — | 5 | #12,771 |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | 8 | #9,121 |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | 8 | #7,635 |
| 1995 | — | — | 11 | #5,230 |
| 1990 | — | — | 8 | #5,994 |
| 1985 | — | — | 7 | #5,303 |
| 1980 | — | — | 8 | #4,612 |
| 1975 | — | — | 8 | #4,049 |
| 1970 | 5 | #8,313 | 18 | #2,146 |
| 1965 | — | — | 7 | #3,327 |
| 1960 | — | — | 7 | #3,427 |
| 1955 | — | — | 14 | #2,163 |
| 1950 | — | — | 9 | #2,626 |
| 1945 | — | — | 10 | #2,287 |
| 1940 | — | — | 14 | #1,922 |
| 1935 | — | — | 9 | #2,581 |
| 1930 | — | — | 14 | #2,102 |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | 6 | #3,938 |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Donel in 2025?
Donel did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Donel?
721 babies have been named Donel in the United States since 1916, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Donel most popular?
Donel peaked in 1970, when 23 newborns received the name.
Is Donel a boy or girl name?
Donel is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 96% of babies with the name.
Is the name Donel rising or falling?
Donel is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.