Donnell
Every Donnell since 1912 — 15,305 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Donnell
Donnell is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,067 in 2025 with 26 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1912, 15,305 American babies have been named Donnell — about 93% boys and 7% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1970, when 307 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 Donnell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Donnell 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 | — | — | 26 | #4,067 |
| 2024 | — | — | 22 | #4,597 |
| 2023 | — | — | 23 | #4,494 |
| 2022 | — | — | 32 | #3,558 |
| 2021 | — | — | 29 | #3,759 |
| 2020 | — | — | 46 | #2,700 |
| 2019 | — | — | 34 | #3,371 |
| 2018 | — | — | 60 | #2,272 |
| 2017 | — | — | 51 | #2,499 |
| 2016 | — | — | 75 | #1,944 |
| 2015 | — | — | 78 | #1,878 |
| 2014 | — | — | 89 | #1,703 |
| 2013 | — | — | 82 | #1,769 |
| 2012 | — | — | 88 | #1,715 |
| 2011 | — | — | 75 | #1,875 |
| 2010 | — | — | 105 | #1,538 |
| 2009 | — | — | 79 | #1,855 |
| 2008 | — | — | 125 | #1,366 |
| 2007 | — | — | 135 | #1,291 |
| 2006 | 5 | #17,900 | 139 | #1,205 |
| 2005 | — | — | 110 | #1,366 |
| 2004 | — | — | 134 | #1,166 |
| 2003 | — | — | 107 | #1,306 |
| 2002 | — | — | 123 | #1,156 |
| 2001 | — | — | 155 | #988 |
| 2000 | — | — | 149 | #994 |
| 1995 | — | — | 171 | #821 |
| 1990 | 7 | #10,526 | 239 | #653 |
| 1985 | 12 | #5,762 | 217 | #593 |
| 1980 | 15 | #4,794 | 271 | #517 |
| 1975 | 25 | #2,897 | 269 | #488 |
| 1970 | 36 | #2,210 | 271 | #492 |
| 1965 | 21 | #2,693 | 214 | #524 |
| 1960 | 26 | #2,324 | 225 | #527 |
| 1955 | 25 | #2,171 | 171 | #564 |
| 1950 | 11 | #3,276 | 143 | #565 |
| 1945 | 11 | #2,780 | 50 | #904 |
| 1940 | 6 | #3,977 | 42 | #997 |
| 1935 | 6 | #3,865 | 38 | #1,044 |
| 1930 | — | — | 41 | #1,083 |
| 1925 | — | — | 22 | #1,642 |
| 1920 | — | — | 15 | #2,159 |
| 1915 | — | — | 15 | #1,897 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Donnell in 2025?
Donnell ranked #4,067 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 26 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Donnell?
15,305 babies have been named Donnell in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Donnell most popular?
Donnell peaked in 1970, when 307 newborns received the name.
Is Donnell a boy or girl name?
Donnell is used for both: about 7% of babies named Donnell have been girls and 93% boys.
Is the name Donnell rising or falling?
Donnell is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.