Meaning & Origin
A diminutive of the male given names Donald or Gordon.
Don is a boy's and girl's baby name of Celtic origin, used as both a diminutive of Donald (from the Scottish Gaelic Domhnall meaning 'world ruler') and as a stand-alone given name. It was also the name of an ancient Celtic river deity.
Don hit peak U.S. popularity in the 1930s and 1940s. Don Draper from Mad Men gave it a sleek, mid-century cool that resonates with vintage-name enthusiasts today. Brief, direct, and impossible to mispronounce — it has the confidence of a firm handshake.