All about the name
Donyell
Male
« Donyell is a unique African American name composed of 'Don', meaning judge or leader, and 'Yell', derived from the Hebrew name Yael, signifying mountain goat. Popularized by Whoopi Goldberg for her daughter, it remains distinctive despite its historical roots. »
#23176
over 10 years
Meaning, origin, history
Donyell is a unique and exotic name of African American origin. It is composed of two elements: "Don" which means "judge" or "leader", and "Yell" which is a variation of the name Yael, meaning "mountain goat" in Hebrew.
The name Donyell was popularized by American actress and comedian, Whoopi Goldberg, who gave this name to her daughter. However, its use can be traced back even further to the late 19th century, when it appeared on US census records.
Despite its African American roots and association with Whoopi Goldberg, Donyell is not widely used today. It remains a unique and distinctive name that stands out from more common names. Its meaning as "judge" or "leader" may appeal to parents looking for a strong and powerful name for their child. Overall, Donyell is an interesting and unusual name with a rich history and meaningful origins.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Donyell since 1880
Total births
509
Total since 1880
Peak year
1974
32 births
in 2017
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-100%
↘
vs previous 5 years