How Many People Are Named Donna?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Donna

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 3,715 living people in the United States currently have the first name Donna. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 7,029 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #392 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~3,715CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)7,029Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#392U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1944 (126 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~3,715
Historical Births (SSA)
7,029
All-Time Rank
#392
Historical Peak
1944

Key Insights for Donna

Estimated Living Bearers
~3,715 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#392
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
1944
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
98% Male · 2% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~464 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Donna

Living Population Model
~3,715

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
7,029

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
4,858

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
49.2 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1944

Highest annual total: 126 registrations in 1944.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (+0%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Donna has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Donna (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1944 (~126 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201044440
201144440
201244440
201344440
201444440
201544440
201644440
201744440
201844440
201944440
202044440
202144440
202244440
202344440
202444440

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
98/100
1950s
88/100
1960s
57/100
1970s
30/100
1980s
13/100
1990s
7/100
2000s
35/100
2010s
35/100
2020s
17/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Donna is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (98% male births).

Male: 98% (~6,885 births)Female: 2% (~144 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Donna

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Donna in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Donna appeared 4,858 times, ranking #121 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
4,858 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#121
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Donna Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~464 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~46412.5%
Texas (TX)~3429.2%
Florida (FL)~2536.8%
New York (NY)~2276.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~1494%
Illinois (IL)~1453.9%
Ohio (OH)~1343.6%
Georgia (GA)~1233.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 3,715 people named Donna are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 49.2 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Donna: 49.2 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Donna

How many people in the U.S. are named Donna?

Approximately 3,715 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Donna. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 7,029 birth applications for Donna between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Donna?

Donna ranks #392 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Donna comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Donna most popular in America?

The name Donna reached its peak historical popularity in 1944, when 126 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Donna?

Donna has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Donna?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Donna is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (98% male births).

Where is the name Donna most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Donna resides in California, with approximately 464 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Donna in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Donna appeared 4,858 times in census returns, ranking #121 in official 2020 returns.

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