Donell
Every Donell since 1915 — 5,418 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Donell
Donell is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,554 in 2025 with 13 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1915, 5,418 American babies have been named Donell — about 89% boys and 11% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1959, when 110 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
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 Donell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Donell 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 | — | — | 13 | #6,554 |
| 2024 | — | — | 8 | #9,223 |
| 2023 | — | — | 12 | #7,003 |
| 2022 | — | — | 8 | #9,208 |
| 2021 | — | — | 11 | #7,223 |
| 2020 | — | — | 13 | #6,387 |
| 2019 | — | — | 15 | #5,895 |
| 2018 | — | — | 17 | #5,379 |
| 2017 | — | — | 15 | #5,869 |
| 2016 | — | — | 9 | #8,324 |
| 2015 | — | — | 18 | #5,114 |
| 2014 | — | — | 27 | #3,820 |
| 2013 | — | — | 21 | #4,505 |
| 2012 | — | — | 26 | #3,928 |
| 2011 | — | — | 24 | #4,134 |
| 2010 | — | — | 37 | #3,089 |
| 2009 | — | — | 25 | #4,068 |
| 2008 | — | — | 39 | #3,019 |
| 2007 | — | — | 44 | #2,732 |
| 2006 | — | — | 48 | #2,520 |
| 2005 | — | — | 51 | #2,305 |
| 2004 | — | — | 40 | #2,656 |
| 2003 | — | — | 33 | #2,945 |
| 2002 | — | — | 47 | #2,228 |
| 2001 | — | — | 47 | #2,188 |
| 2000 | — | — | 68 | #1,686 |
| 1995 | — | — | 39 | #2,110 |
| 1990 | 6 | #11,807 | 74 | #1,289 |
| 1985 | — | — | 81 | #1,014 |
| 1980 | 12 | #5,618 | 81 | #1,006 |
| 1975 | 15 | #4,203 | 80 | #919 |
| 1970 | 16 | #3,756 | 64 | #1,020 |
| 1965 | 16 | #3,173 | 78 | #832 |
| 1960 | 16 | #3,120 | 88 | #815 |
| 1955 | 17 | #2,751 | 77 | #839 |
| 1950 | 8 | #4,044 | 47 | #1,027 |
| 1945 | 7 | #3,756 | 23 | #1,389 |
| 1940 | 5 | #4,510 | 30 | #1,234 |
| 1935 | — | — | 19 | #1,604 |
| 1930 | — | — | 14 | #2,103 |
| 1925 | — | — | 9 | #2,983 |
| 1920 | — | — | 8 | #3,283 |
| 1915 | — | — | 8 | #2,882 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Donell in 2025?
Donell ranked #6,554 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 13 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Donell?
5,418 babies have been named Donell in the United States since 1915, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Donell most popular?
Donell peaked in 1959, when 110 newborns received the name.
Is Donell a boy or girl name?
Donell is used for both: about 11% of babies named Donell have been girls and 89% boys.
Is the name Donell rising or falling?
Donell is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.