Donald

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 Dyfnwal and Cumbric Dumnagual. Although the feminine given name Donna is sometimes used as a feminine form of Donald, the names are not etymologically related.

Kings and noblemen
Domnall or Domhnall is the name of many ancient and medieval Gaelic kings and noblemen:
 * Dyfnwal Moelmud (Dunvallo Molmutius), legendary king of pre-Roman Britain
 * Dyfnwal Hen (Dumnagual I), Ruler of Alt Clut (Strathclyde) (450–475)
 * Domnall Brecc, king of Dál Riata (d. 642)
 * Domnall mac Áedo, High King of the Northern Uí Néill and Ireland (d. 642)
 * Domnall Midi, High King of Clann Cholmáin and Ireland (d. 763)
 * Domnall mac Ailpín (812–863)
 * Donald II of Scotland (889–900)
 * Domnall mac Eimín, Mormaer of Mar (d. 1014)
 * Donald III of Scotland (1033–1099)
 * Domnall Gerrlámhach, King of Dublin (d. 1135)
 * Domnall Ua Lochlainn, High King of Ireland (1083 and 1121)
 * Domhnall I, Earl of Mar (1276–1301)
 * Domhnall II, Earl of Mar (1305–1332)
 * Domhnall, Earl of Lennox (1333–1365)
 * Dyfnwal, King of Strathclyde (d. 908×915), also known by the names Donald, Domhnall, and Domnall
 * Dyfnwal ab Owain (d. 975), also known by the names Donald and Domnall
 * Owain ap Dyfnwal (fl. 934)

Domhnall

 * Domhnall mac Conchobair Ó Briain (died 1579), Gaelic Irish military leader
 * Domhnall Gleeson (born 1983), Irish actor
 * Domhnall mac Dáire Mac Bruaideadha (fl. c. 1600), Irish poet
 * Domhnall MacAuley (born 1957), Scottish physician and professor
 * Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna (1887–1967), Scottish Gaelic poet

Donnell

 * Donnell Ballagh O'Cahan (died 1627), Irish landowner and rebel
 * Donnell Rawlings (born 1968), comedian

Don

 * Don Adams (1923–2005), American actor, comedian and director
 * Don Airey (born 1948), English keyboardist
 * Don Ameche (1908–1993), Hollywood actor
 * Don Barksdale (1923–1993), American basketball player
 * Don Bertoia, Canadian middle-distance runner
 * Don Bluth (born 1937), animator, film director, producer, writer, production designer, video game designer and independent studio owner
 * Don Bowman (singer) (1937–2013), American comedian, country music singer, and songwriter
 * Don Callis (born 1963), Canadian professional wrestler, wrestling manager, and actor
 * Don Cazayoux (born 1964), American lawyer and politician
 * Don Chaffey (1917–1990), British film director, writer, producer, and art director
 * Don Chard, Canadian politician
 * Don Cheadle (born 1964), American actor and producer
 * Don Cherry (born 1934), Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and television commentator
 * Don Cherry (American football) (born 1994), American football player
 * Don Cherry (singer) (1924–2018), American singer and golfer
 * Don Cherry (trumpeter) (1936–1995), American jazz trumpeter
 * Don R. Christensen (1916–2006), American animator, cartoonist, and writer
 * Don Christopher (1934–2022), American farmer
 * Don Ciccone (1946–2016), American singer-songwriter, member of the band The Critters
 * Don Cornelius (1936–2012), American television show host and producer
 * Don Cornell (1919–2004), stage name of Luigi Varlaro, American singer
 * Dominick Don Costa (1925–1983), American conductor and record producer
 * Don Covay (1936–2015), American singer and songwriter
 * Don Criqui (born 1950), American sportscaster
 * Don Diablo (born 1980), Dutch DJ, record producer, musician and songwriter of electronic music
 * Don Digirolamo, American re-recording mixer
 * Don Dokken (born 1953), American singer, lead singer of Dokken
 * Don Drysdale (1936–1993), American baseball pitcher and sportscaster
 * Don Dunstan (1926–1999), South Australian politician
 * Don Estelle (1933–2003), British actor and singer
 * Don Everly (1937–2021), American country-influenced rock and roll singer and guitarist
 * Don Felder (born 1947), American singer-songwriter and guitarist, former member of the Eagles
 * Don Frye (born 1965), American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler
 * Don Forsht, American politician
 * Don Garber (born 1957), American sports executive
 * Don Gardner (1931–2018), American singer-songwriter
 * Don Gibson (1928–2003), American songwriter and country musician
 * Don Gilman (1934–2005), American politician
 * Don Goldstein (1937–2022), American basketball player
 * Don Gorske (born 1953), “Big Mac” Enthusiast and Guinness World Record holder of most Big Macs eaten
 * Don Gullett (born 1951), American baseball pitcher
 * Don Gullick (1924–2000), Welsh rugby union and rugby league footballer and coach
 * Don Hasselbeck (born 1955), American football player
 * Don Henley (born 1947), founding member of the Eagles rock group
 * Don Herbert (1917–2007), television's "Mr. Wizard"
 * Don Hewitt (1922–2009), American television news producer
 * Don Ho (1930–2007), American pop musician, singer and entertainer
 * Don Hutson (1913–1997), American football player
 * Don Imus (1940–2019), American radio and television host
 * Don Johnson (born 1949), American actor, producer and singer
 * Don Johnson (basketball) (1930–2019), American basketball player and coach
 * Don Johnson (sports executive) (1930–2012), Canadian sports executive and president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
 * Don King (boxing promoter) (born 1931), American boxing promoter
 * Don King (coach) (born 1926), American football player and coach
 * Don King (defensive back) (born 1964), American football player
 * Don King (defensive lineman) (1929–2014), American football player
 * Don King (musician) (born 1954), American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and trumpeter
 * Don King (photographer) (born 1960), American photographer, cinematographer, and film director
 * Don Roy King (born 1947), American television director
 * Don Kirshner (1934–2011), American music publisher, rock music producer, talent manager, and songwriter
 * Don Knotts (1924–2006), American actor and comedian
 * Don Larsen (1929–2020), American baseball player
 * Don Lemon (born 1966), American television personality and current host of CNN Tonight
 * Don L. Lind (1930–2022), American scientist and a former naval officer and aviator, and NASA astronaut
 * Don MacLean (basketball) (born 1970), American basketball player and color commentator
 * Don Marion Davis (1917–2020), American child actor
 * Don Mattingly, American pro baseball player for the New York Yankees and manager of the LA Dodgers; aka "Donnie Baseball" and "The Hitman"
 * Don McLean (born 1945), American singer-songwriter and musician
 * Don Murray (1929–2024), American actor
 * Don Nelson (born 1940), American basketball player and coach
 * Don Nelson (screenwriter) (1927–2013), American screenwriter, film producer, and jazz musician
 * Don Nickles (born 1948), American politician
 * Don Omar (born 1978), Puerto Rican rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor
 * Don Patinkin (1922–1995), Israeli-American economist, and President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
 * Don Payne, American writer and producer
 * Don Quarrie (born 1951), Jamaican sprinter
 * Don Reid (born 1945), lead singer of American country group The Statler Brothers
 * Don Rickles (1926–2017), American stand-up comedian
 * Don Robesky (1906–2002), American football player
 * Don Rondo (1930–2011), American singer
 * Don Shula (1930–2020), American football coach
 * Don Slater (born 1954), British sociologist
 * Don Trahan (born 1949), American golfer, father of D. J. Trahan
 * Don Van Vliet (1941–2010), American singer, songwriter and musician, also known as Captain Beefheart
 * Don Warrington (born 1951), Trinidadian-born British actor
 * Don Waterman (born 1950), American racing driver
 * Don Webb (American football) (born 1939), American football player
 * Don Webb (playwright), English playwright and dramatist
 * Don Webb (writer) (born 1960), American science fiction, mystery, and horror writer
 * Don Wilson (American football) (born 1961), American football player
 * Don Wilson (announcer) (1900–1982), American radio and television announcer and actor
 * Don Wilson (Australian footballer) (1914–2015), Australian footballer
 * Don Wilson (baseball) (1945–1975), American baseball pitcher
 * Don Wilson (cricketer) (1927–2012), English cricketer
 * Don Wilson (pastor) (born 1949), American Christian pastor and creationist
 * Don E. Wilson (born 1944), American zoologist
 * Don M. Wilson III (born 1948), American banker and corporate director
 * Don W. Wilson (born 1942), American historian and archivist
 * Don Williams (1939–2017), American singer-songwriter
 * Don Williams (offensive lineman) (1919–2001), American football player
 * Don Williams (American football coach) (1927–2013), American football, track and field coach
 * Don Williams (footballer, born 1935) (1935–1995), Australian rules footballer
 * Don Williams (footballer, born 1939) (born 1939), Australian rules footballer
 * Don Williams (poker player) (1942–2013), American poker player
 * Don Williams (racing driver) (1947–1989), American racing driver
 * Don Zewin (1952-2021), American professional poker player

Donal

 * Donal Logue (born 1969), Canadian actor
 * Donal MacIntyre (born 1966), Irish investigative reporter
 * Donal Murray (bishop) (born 1940), the Roman Catholic Bishop of Limerick (1996–2009)
 * Donal O'Brien (disambiguation), several individuals
 * Donal O'Donoghue (1894–1971), Irish Fianna Fáil politician
 * Donal O'Shea, Canadian mathematician
 * Donal O'Sullivan (disambiguation), several individuals
 * Donal Roe MacCarthy Mór (died 1302), 13th-century noble of Ireland, Prince of the Kingdom of Desmond
 * Donal MacCarthy Reagh (1450/1460–1531), 9th Prince of Carbery (1505–1531)
 * Donal Skehan (born 1986), Irish singer, television personality/presenter, food writer/cook and photographer

Dónal

 * Dónal Lunny (born 1947), Irish folk musician
 * Donal Óg Cusack (born 1977), Irish hurler

Donald

 * Donald Ardell, American politician
 * Donald Bailey (1934–2013), American jazz drummer
 * Donald Bradman (1908–2001), Australian cricketer
 * Donald Brashear (born 1972), American ice hockey player
 * Donald Burgess (born 1933), British track cyclist
 * Donald Byrd (1932–2013), American jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter
 * Donald Cameron (born 1954), Australian water polo player and coach
 * Donald Campbell (1921–1967), British world land and water speed record breaker
 * Donald M. Campbell Jr. (born 1955), retired United States Army lieutenant general who served as the commanding general of United States Army Europe
 * Donald Capelle, Marshallese politician
 * Donald Chumley (born 1962), American football player
 * Donald Crisp (1882–1974), filmmaker
 * Donald D. Deshler (born 1947), American educator
 * Donald Dewar (1937–2000), Labour Party MP and first First Minister of Scotland (1999–2000)
 * Donald Disney, Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
 * Donald Driver (born 1975), American football player for the Green Bay Packers
 * Donald "Duck" Dunn (1941–2012), American bass guitarist
 * Donald Fagen (born 1948), American musician
 * Donald Faison (born 1974), American actor and comedian
 * Donald Foss (1945–2022), American billionaire, founder of Credit Acceptance
 * Donald Friese (born 1940), American billionaire businessman
 * Donald Henry Gaskins (1933–1991), American cannibalistic serial killer, rapist, and thief
 * Donald Geisler (born 1978), Filipino taekwondo athlete
 * Donald Glover (born 1983), American actor, musician, writer, comedian, and producer
 * Donald Gordon (cricketer) (born 1990), English cricketer
 * Donald J. Guter (born 1948), American educator and 37th Judge Advocate General of the Navy
 * Donald Hawkins (born 1992), American football player
 * Donald Harvey (1952–2017), prolific American serial killer
 * Donald Hewagama (1926–2009), Sri Lankan Sinhala Judge Advocate General, Sri Lanka Army
 * Donald Hewlett (1922–2011), British actor
 * Donald Izacus Panjaitan (1925–1965), Indonesian general
 * Donald Izzett (born 1975), American man who has been missing since 1995
 * Donald Eugene Fields II (born 1964) FBI's most wanted fugitive
 * Donald Keene (1922–2019), American-Japanese literary scholar
 * Donald Knuth (born 1938), American computer scientist
 * Donald Maclean (spy) (1913–1983), British diplomat and Soviet spy
 * Donald MacCormick (1939–2009), Scottish journalist
 * Donald R. MacLeod (1902–1976), Canadian politician
 * Donald Marmen, Canadian politician
 * Donald Albert Marshall (born 1932), Canadian politician
 * Donald R. McMonagle (born 1952), former astronaut and a veteran of three shuttle flights
 * Donald Moatshe (born 1985), South African musician
 * Donald Mote (1900–1968), Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court
 * Donald W. Munro (1916–1998), Canadian politician
 * Donald "Don" Muraco (born 1939), American retired wrestler
 * Donald Nicol (1843–1903), Scottish politician
 * Donald Nicolaisen (1944–2019), American politician
 * Donald Nixon (1914–1987), younger brother of 37th U.S. President Richard Nixon
 * Donald Obeyesekere (1888-1964), Sri Lankan Sinhala legislator
 * Donald O'Connor (1925–2003), American dancer, singer, and actor
 * Donald of Ogilvy (Saint Donald)
 * Donald Parham (born 1997), American football player
 * Donald Perera, 11th commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force
 * Donald H. Peterson (1933–2018), United States Air Force officer and NASA astronaut
 * Donald Pettit (born 1955), American chemical engineer and a NASA astronaut
 * Donald Pleasence (1919–1995), English actor
 * Donald E. Polkinghorne (1936–2018), American academic and psychologist
 * Donald Ramotar (born 1950), president of Guyana
 * Donald Jasen Ranaweera (1921–2000), Sri Lankan Sinhala planter, press baron, and politician
 * Donald Richie (1924–2013), American-born author who wrote about the Japanese people, the culture of Japan, and especially Japanese cinema
 * Donald A. Ritchie (born 1945), Historian Emeritus of the United States Senate
 * Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser (born 1947), rock musician, guitarist for Blue Öyster Cult
 * Donald Rumsfeld (1932–2021), United States Secretary of Defense
 * Donald Sanford (born 1987), American-Israeli Olympic sprinter
 * Donald Sild (born 1968), Estonian javelin thrower
 * Donald "Deke" Slayton (1924–1993), American astronaut
 * Donald Spero (born 1939), world champion rower
 * Donald Sterling (born 1934), sports team owner
 * Donald Sutherland (1935–2024), Canadian actor
 * Donald A. Thomas (born 1955), American engineer and a former NASA astronaut
 * Donald J. Trahan, Jr. (born 1980), American golfer
 * Donald Triplett (1933–2023), first person to be diagnosed with autism
 * Donald Trump (born 1946), 45th President of the United States, businessman
 * Donald Tsang (born 1944), Chief Executive of Hong Kong
 * Donald Tusk (born 1957), Polish Prime Minister, former President of the European Council
 * Donald Wailan-Walalangi (born 1960), Indonesian tennis player
 * Donald Watson (1910–2005), English animal rights advocate and founder of the Vegan Society
 * Donald Woodward Lee (1910–1977), American philologist
 * Donald Whiston (1927–2020), American ice hockey player
 * Donald Whitton (1923–2018), Canadian cellist and teacher
 * Donald E. Williams (1942–2016), American naval officer and aviator, test pilot, mechanical engineer and NASA astronaut
 * Donald Williamson (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Donald Wilson (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Donald Young (tennis) (born 1989), American tennis player

Donaldo

 * Donaldo Arza (born 1946), Panamanian track and field athlete
 * Donaldo González (born 1971), Panamanian footballer
 * Donaldo Hontiveros (born 1977), Filipino basketball player
 * Donaldo Macedo (born 1950), American academic
 * Donaldo Méndez (born 1978), Venezuelan baseball player
 * Donaldo Morales (born 1982), Honduran footballer
 * Donaldo Ortiz Colín (born 1961), Mexican politician
 * Donaldo Ernesto Reyes (born 1939), Honduran lawyer and politician

Donnie

 * Donnie McKinnon (born 1940), Scottish footballer
 * Donnie Wahlberg (born 1969), American singer, actor and film producer

Donny

 * Donny Hathaway (1945–1979), American soul musician
 * Donny Osmond (born 1957), American singer and actor

Fictional

 * Don Bergman, nicknamed Dobbs, a Koppaite treasure hunter and former ranger in Pikmin 4
 * Donald Blake (Marvel Comics), the secret identity of The Mighty Thor, from Marvel Comics
 * Donald Duck, Disney animated cartoon and comic-book character
 * Donnie Darko, protagonist of a film of the same name
 * Donald "Don" Draper, protagonist of the AMC television series Mad Men
 * Donald "Ducky" Mallard, character in the TV show NCIS
 * Donald Fisher, fictional character portrayed by Norman Coburn in Home and Away
 * Don Flamenco, a fictional French boxer from the Punch-Out!! series
 * Donald Morden, fictional character from the video game series Metal Slug
 * Sir Donald McDuck, Disney character who is an ancestor of Scrooge McDuck and Donald Duck
 * Donald the Scottish Twin, a fictional character from The Railway Series and its televised adaptation Thomas & Friends