Donella – Name Meaning
Donella is a feminine given name of Scottish origin. The name Donella is derived from the Gaelic Domhnall, which means “world ruler” or “ruler of the world”. It is also related to the Latin name Dominicus, meaning “lord” or “master”.
The name Donella has been in use since the Middle Ages and was popularized by the Scottish poet Robert Burns in his poem “To a Mouse”. In this poem, he refers to a mouse as “wee, sleekit, cowrin’, tim’rous beastie, O, what panic’s in thy breastie! Thou need na start awa sae hasty, Wi’ bickering brattle! I wad be laith to rin an’ chase thee, Wi’ murd’ring pattle!”
The name Donella has been used throughout history as a symbol of strength and courage. It is often associated with strong female characters such as Joan of Arc and Queen Elizabeth I. It is also seen as a symbol of independence and resilience.
Popularity
Donella is not a particularly common name in the United States today. According to Social Security Administration data from 2019, it ranked at #7,945 out of all baby girl names registered that year. However, it has seen some recent popularity in Scotland where it ranks at #1,837.
Famous People Named Donella
There are several famous people who have borne the name Donella over the years. These include:
- Donella Meadows (1941-2001), American environmental scientist and author
- Donella Wilson (born 1965), American actress
- Donella H. Brooks (born 1945), American politician
- Donella Del Monaco (born 1954), Italian singer and songwriter
Variations of the Name
The name Donella can also be spelled in various ways including Donela, Donelle, Donnella and Donnelle. There are also several diminutives of the name such as Donya, Doni and Donnie.
