The Baby Name Wizard

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Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Donna!

Comments and insights on the name Donna: | Edit

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Personal experiences with the name Donna: | Edit

Growing up in the 50's and 60's there were many Donnas. When I lived in a small town, there were 4 of us in the same grade and we had to use initials or middle names along such as "Donna Sue". And as I mention the middle names, I have been stuck over the years with people giving me nicknames such as the aforementioned "Donna Sue", or "Donna Lou", even though my middle name is different and even though I've never met another Donna with it, I still get called by those nicknames. Now, there aren't so many Donnas and it is kind of nice to have a name meaning "lady". My middle name means "noble", so I'm a noble lady.

I was in the same boat... always had to use my last initial to distinguish myself in grade school from all the other Donnas. I have a brother named Todd and he had the same problem. In fact another family on our street had a Donna and a Todd the same ages as us. As an adult, I used to think it was a drag to have such a dated name. But now I think it's kitchy and cool. There are lots of dated names, like Tracy, Linda, etc. but none are as cool as Donna. The name conjures up images of big hair and flower power! Todd is also pretty great, if you like surfing.

Nicknames for Donna: | Edit

Donna Lou, Donna Sue, Donnie, Donna Lee

Meanings and history of the name Donna: | Edit

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Famous real-life people named Donna: | Edit

Donna Lewis, singer
Donna Summer, singer
Donna Reed, actress
Donna Douglas, actress
Donna D'Erricco, actress
Donna DeLory, singer
Donna Dixon, actress
Donna Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Clinton
Donna Karan, fashion designer
Donna Tartt, author
Donna Fargo, singer
Donna Rice, sex scandal celebrity
Donna Feldman, model
Donna Mills, actress

Donna in song, story & screen: | Edit

"Afternoon Tea" by The Kinks
Character on "That 70s Show"
Character on "Twin Peaks"
"Oh Donna" by Ritchie Valens
"Donna" by Bob Marley
"Who's Holdin' Donna Now?" by DeBarge
In radio: "The Donna Syndrome" on Car Talk (Every woman who drives a Firebird or Camaro is named Donna)
Rock band "The Donnas"
Donna Noble, companion in "Doctor Who"
Donna Martin, character on Beverly Hills 90210 played by Tori Spelling