Find out how popular the first name Donalyn has been for the last 8 years (from 1977 to 1984) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Donalyn by gender

Based on the last 8 years of data, Donalyn is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1984, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Donalyn.

The history of the first name Donalyn

The given name Donalyn is a relatively modern feminine name that has its roots in the English language. It is believed to have originated as a combination of the Scottish/Irish name Donalda and the English name Lynn.

Donalda is a feminine form of the masculine name Donald, which is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name Domhnall. Domhnall is composed of the elements "domhnu," meaning "world," and "val," meaning "rule" or "might." Thus, Donalda can be interpreted as meaning "ruler of the world" or "mighty world."

The name Lynn, on the other hand, is an English name that can be traced back to several possible origins. One theory suggests it is derived from the Old English word "linn," meaning "lake" or "pool." Another theory links it to the Welsh name "Llyn," which means "lake."

While the name Donalyn itself does not have a long and storied history, it is possible that some of the earliest recorded instances of its use may be found in Scottish or Irish historical records from the 19th or early 20th century.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Donalyn was Donalyn Ketcham (1912-2010), an American actress and singer who appeared in several Broadway productions in the 1930s and 1940s.

Another prominent figure with this name was Donalyn Quintana (1935-2015), a Native American artist from the Pueblo of Zia in New Mexico, known for her traditional pottery and ceramics.

Donalyn Muir (born 1932) is a Canadian author and historian who has written extensively about the history and culture of Vancouver Island, where she was born and raised.

Donalyn Whitmore (born 1952) is an American educator and author who has specialized in children's literature and literacy education. She co-founded the popular book blog "The Nerdy Book Club" and has written several books on teaching reading.

Donalyn Miller (born 1961) is an American writer and teacher who has authored several books on reading instruction and promoting a love of reading in students. Her book "The Book Whisperer" has been widely influential in the field of education.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Donalyn was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Donalyn, please contact us.

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