The masculine given name Donald is a version of the Scottish Gaelic name Domhnall[1] (and variants Dómhnall,[citation needed] Dòmhnall,[2] Domhnull,[3] and Dòmhnull),[4] historically the standard Anglicization of the name in Scotland. The name is ultimately derived from the Proto-Celtic world elements dubno (“world”) and val (“rule”). The final –d on Donald is partly derived from a misinterpretation of the Gaelic pronunciation by English-speakers, and partly associated with the spelling of similar sounding Germanic-language names, such as Ronald. A short form of Donald is Don. Pet forms of Donald include Donnie, Donny, and Dolly. The feminine given name Donella is derived from Donald.[1] Donald has numerous other Celtic-language cognates: Irish Dónal (Anglicised as Donal and Donall),[5] Old Irish Domnall, Welsh Dyfnwal, Old Welsh Dumngual, Cumbric Dumngual, and Common Celtic *Dumno-ualos (“world-wielder”).[contradiction][6][7]
(although the feminine given name Donna is sometimes used as a feminine form of Donald, the names are not etymologically related)