Donella
Scottish · Girl · 3 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Donella
Donella is a feminine given name meaning "world ruler" or "lady of the world," derived from the Scottish Gaelic name Domhnall (via the feminine form Donaldina), ultimately from the Proto-Celtic *dubno- (world) and *walos (ruler).
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Etymology
Donella is a feminine given name meaning "world ruler" or "lady of the world," derived from the Scottish Gaelic name Domhnall (via the feminine form Donaldina), ultimately from the Proto-Celtic *dubno- (world) and *walos (ruler). It is primarily used in English-speaking cultures, particularly Scotland and the United States, with no specific religious association, though it gained modest historical notice through Donella Meadows, the 20th-century American environmental scientist and lead author of *The Limits to Growth*.
Donella currently ranks #15,532 in the United States as a girl's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1952.
Variants & nicknames
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Sibling name ideas
Scottish names that sit beautifully beside DonellaSimilar names you might like
Names starting with DMore names starting with D
- Dajana
- Dagmar
- Daiva
- Dag
- Dajan
- Dahab
- Daisie
- Daiana
- Daena
- Daina
- Daisey
- Dakota
- Dafina
- Dafne
- Daisi
- Dahlia
- Dakari
- Dagmara
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Names that sound like Donella
Phonetic match, not just spelling"Daniel derives from the Hebrew name Daniyyel, composed of "din" (judgment) and "el" (God), meaning "God is my judge." The…"
"Daniela is the feminine form of Daniel, derived from the Hebrew name Daniyyēl, meaning "God is my judge" (from dan,…"
"Danielle is the feminine form of Daniel, derived from the Hebrew name Daniyel, meaning "God is my judge" (from the…"
"Daniella is the feminine form of Daniel, derived from the Hebrew name Daniyyel, meaning "God is my judge" (from the…"
"Danilo means "God is my judge" and derives from the Hebrew name Daniel, composed of "din" (judge) and "el" (God)."
"Danylo is the Ukrainian form of Daniel, derived from Hebrew "Daniyyel", meaning "God is my judge.""
"The name 'Danyal' means "God is my judge" and derives from the Hebrew name Daniel (דָּנִיֵּאל)."
"Daniil means "God is my judge" and derives from the Hebrew name Daniel (דָּנִיֵּאל), composed of "din" (judge) and "el"…"
"Danyil is a Ukrainian form of Daniel, derived from Hebrew "Daniyyel", meaning "God is my judge.""
"Domhnal is an Irish form of the Gaelic name Domhnall, derived from the Old Norse elements "Domnall" (composed of "dom"…"
"Danil is a Russian diminutive form of Daniel, derived from the Hebrew name Daniyyel, meaning "God is my judge." The…"
"Domhnall means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world," derived from the Old Norse elements "domnr" (judgment/rule) and "valr" (ruler),…"