The story behind Donna
A 19th-century invention from the Italian noun donna; also interpreted as a feminine form of Donald.
Pronunciation
US: /ˈdɑnə/
Regional pronunciation variants
- UK: /ˈdɒnə/
- US: /ˈdänːə/
Popularity
Donna ranked #1965 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Donna
Dina
Equivalent of the biblical name Dinah in several European languages, ultimately from Hebrew דִּינָה. Borrowed clipping of longer names in many languages, such as Italian Dina.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Aida
Borrowed from Italian Aida, made famous by Giuseppe Verdi's opera Aida, which premiered in 1871. From Italian Aida.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Aída
Borrowed from Italian Aida.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Andrea
Latinate feminine form of Andreas and Andrew. Borrowed from Italian Andrea. From Latin Andreās, from Ancient Greek Ἀνδρέας (Andréas). Due to the loss of the final S, the…
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Bella
From Italian: a diminutive of Isabella and Arabella, by folk etymology interpreted as bella (“beautiful”). Likely a variant of Belle, perhaps from Latin or Italian,…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Bianca
From Italian Bianca, equivalent of English Blanche. Recently borrowed from Italian Bianca. Recently borrowed from Italian Bianca. Borrowed from Italian Bianca. Doublet of…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Donna
Callista
Borrowed from Italian Callista, a conflation from two sources, both from Ancient Greek: * From Ancient Greek καλλίστη (kallístē), feminine of κάλλιστος (kállistos), superlative…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Carlotta
From Italian Carlotta, an equivalent of Charlotte.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Caroline
Borrowed in the 17th century from French Caroline, from Italian Carolina or its etymon Latin Carolīna, from Latin Carolus (“Charles”), from Middle High German Karl, + -īna…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Donna
Abraham
Middle English Abraham English Abraham From Middle English Abraham, from Old English Abraham, from Late Latin Ābrahām, from Ancient Greek Ἀβρᾱᾱ́μ (Abrāā́m), from Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adolfo
Borrowed from Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish Adolfo. From Latin Adolphus, Adolfus, from earlier Adalulfus, from Old High German Adalwolf, from Proto-Germanic *Aþalawulfaz…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Alberto
Borrowed from Italian and Spanish Alberto. Shorter form of Adalberto, from Latin Adalbertus, from Frankish *Aþalaberht. Borrowed from Spanish Alberto.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length