Find out how popular the first name Donita has been for the last 36 years (from 1974 to 2009) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Donita by gender

Based on the last 36 years of data, Donita is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2009, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Donita.

The history of the first name Donita

The name Donita has its origins in the Spanish language and culture. It is a feminine name derived from the Latin word "donatus," which means "given" or "gifted." This root word can be traced back to the Latin verb "donare," meaning "to give."

In the early years of Christianity, the name Donita was sometimes given to girls as a reference to the concept of being a "gift from God." It was particularly popular in regions with strong Catholic or Latin cultural influences, such as Spain, Italy, and parts of Latin America.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Donita can be found in the chronicles of a 12th-century Spanish monastery, where a young nun named Donita de Ávila was mentioned as a dedicated servant of the church. However, the name did not gain widespread popularity until the 16th and 17th centuries, when it became more commonly used among Spanish and Portuguese families.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Donita. One such figure was Donita de Guzmán, a Spanish noblewoman who lived in the 15th century and was known for her charitable works and support for the arts. Another was Donita Álvarez, a 17th-century Mexican poet and writer whose works explored themes of love, faith, and the human condition.

In the realm of literature, the name Donita appears in the works of renowned Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes. In his novel "Don Quixote," one of the characters, a young woman named Donita, plays a significant role in the story's narrative.

Moving into the 19th century, Donita Sánchez was a Cuban artist and activist who fought for women's rights and social reform. Her paintings and writings highlighted the struggles and resilience of women in her community.

Lastly, in the 20th century, Donita Norris was an American educator and advocate for children's literacy. She dedicated her life to promoting reading and writing skills among underprivileged youth, establishing several educational programs and initiatives.

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 Donita was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!