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MonJul 15

National Donna Day – July 15, 2024

National Donna Day is on July 15 annually. Donna is primarily a girl’s name of Latin origin that means ‘lady’ or ‘woman.’ If you’re looking for an original lady-like name to give your daughter, this is the name for you! Donna was often the name given to the Lady of the home and was a title of respect similar to Don, which means ‘Lord of the home.’ Thus, it is no surprise that Donnas are pragmatic, confident, and light-hearted with a tenacity for leadership. Donna sure sounds like a leading lady to us. Name days are worth celebrating since names are our identities; whether self-given or named at birth, they’re what we call ourselves in the world. Without names, it would be impossible to fill out hospital forms, have presidents, or sign up for some of your favorite activities. Without our names, we lose our individuality ― the one thing that makes us unique. Today, we celebrate the dynamic ‘Donnas’ of the world from all different walks of life because they’re dear to us.

History of National Donna Day

As mentioned earlier, Donna has Latin foundations of a title of respect and the female equivalent of Don or Donald, which means ‘master of the household.’ Its Latin root ‘Domina’ loosely translates to ‘the mistress of the household.’ ‘Dame’ in the English language is derived from ‘Domina.’ In the past, it identified a woman who was the wife of either a Knight or Baronet. Thus, it’s safe to say that Donna was commonly a sign of nobility and honor ― with honor comes great responsibility. Dames and Donnas alike were expected to manage their households; thus, from a young age, they were trained in many domestic skills like sewing. They also learned how to manage their children, servants, and estates in some cases since they were sometimes co-rulers of their territory alongside their husbands.

However, it’s substantial to note that ‘Donna’ was not only reserved for partners of the noble. In years to come, the name gained popularity amongst common folk and diversified the bearers’ roles in society. In the 90s, most people bearing Donna were laborers; stenographers were the top reported jobs for men and women in the U.S. named Donna. Some uncommon vocations for Americans named Donna were barbing and teaching.

Lately, Donna has fallen off the most popular baby names to below 1,000 on the list; however, we think this is only temporary. Donna is a beautiful and dainty name sure to make a comeback in the next one or two generations.

National Donna Day timeline

1840
A Donna in Michigan

The first Donna in the U.S. is spotted.

1959
Donnas are Very Popular

Donna is widely known and peaks at number five on name charts.

2004
Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of a person named Donna is an average of 53 years.

2014
Average Salary

The average salary of a person named Donna in the U.S. is $44,904.

National Donna Day FAQs

What names are variants of Donna?

Donna is a pretty name with several variations, such as Don, Dona, Donella, Donetta, Donia, Donielle, Donisha, Donita, Donnalee, Donnamarie, Donnie, Donya, Ladonna, and Madonna.

Is Donna a Bible name?

Donna is a short form of Madonna, which is often associated with the Virgin Mary. However, the name is not in any religious books ― the Bible, Torah, or Quran.

What is the personality of Donna?

Donnas are family-minded people that care about their loved ones. They are often perfectionists but pleasant, hardworking, and energetic.

National Donna Day Activities

  1. Bring them flowers

    Giving someone flowers is a lovely gesture that shows you're thinking about them. It should put a smile on their face.

  2. Honor the Virgin Mary

    You can pay homage to the Virgin Mary, who’s often referred to as ‘the Madonna,’ by lighting a candle at church. This act shows respect and appreciation.

  3. Treat your friends to a meal

    Everyone loves a free meal. Treat your friends to brunch today; I'm sure they’ll appreciate the gesture.

5 Popular Donnas In Television

  1. Donna from “Suits”

    Donna is a formidable and mysterious character with the potential to do incredible things in her law firm.

  2. Donna from “Mamma Mia”

    She is a free spirit and something of a 'flower-child’ but also a hardworking woman growing up during the 70s.

  3. Donna from “That ‘70s Show”

    She was everyone's favorite intelligent ‘girl-next-door’ popularly known for being a determined feminist tomboy.

  4. Donna from “The Bold and The Beautiful”

    Her appearances always surprised the audience and left her fans expectant as she often stimulated drama on the show.

  5. Donna from “Parks and Recreation”

    Donna is the confident office manager for the Pawnee Parks and Recreation Department; her hilarious personality makes her stand out as the main character.

Why We Love National Donna Day

  1. It’s an opportunity to appreciate loved ones

    National Donna Day is another opportunity to show ‘Donnas’ dear to you just how much they mean to you. It will make them feel appreciated.

  2. You get to know your name

    Every ‘name day’ is as good as any opportunity to educate yourself on your name. You’ll discover why you were named so and what it means.

  3. Tradition’s upheld

    A ‘name day’ is a feast day of the saint whose name you share. Observing National Donna Day honors this tradition.

National Donna Day dates

YearDateDay
2024July 15Monday
2025July 15Tuesday
2026July 15Wednesday
2027July 15Thursday
2028July 15Saturday

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