Is Don a boy's or girl's name?

Don is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 1,207 recorded births.

When was Don most popular?

Don reached its peak popularity in 1946 with 4,111 births that year. It is currently ranked #1789 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Don?

Don is currently ranked #1789 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 167,538 babies since 1880.

Don

An uncommon Celtic pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsCelticDeclining Also a pet name

#1789▼ 31in 2024

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.

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Popularity Over Time

Don was #1128 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1789, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Don
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	490	#1693	▼
2010s	1,071	#1536	▼
2000s	1,530	#1100	▼
1990s	2,637	#661	▼
1980s	4,992	#379	▼
1970s	8,496	#253	▼
1960s	22,123	#151	▼
1950s	29,451	#117	▼
1940s	36,253	#77	▲
1930s	35,980	#55	▲
1920s	16,941	#113	▲
1910s	5,683	#168	▲
1900s	817	#214	▲
1890s	620	#219	▲
1880s	454	#252	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Don
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	91	#1789	-2 (-2.2%)
2023	93	#1758	-22 (-19.1%)
2022	115	#1549	+13 (12.7%)
2021	102	#1638	+13 (14.6%)
2020	89	#1731	+1 (1.1%)
2019	88	#1768	-27 (-23.5%)
2018	115	#1500	+25 (27.8%)
2017	90	#1724	-15 (-14.3%)
2016	105	#1564	-12 (-10.3%)
2015	117	#1445	+5 (4.5%)
2014	112	#1457	-13 (-10.4%)
2013	125	#1354	+30 (31.6%)
2012	95	#1627	-18 (-15.9%)
2011	113	#1452	+2 (1.8%)
2010	111	#1473	-25 (-18.4%)
2009	136	#1293	+3 (2.3%)
2008	133	#1306	+6 (4.7%)
2007	127	#1334	-43 (-25.3%)
2006	170	#1054	+32 (23.2%)
2005	138	#1156	-2 (-1.4%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Don as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Don has also been given to 1,207 girls in the U.S. since 1907.

Unranked

Current rank

1,207

Total births

1931

Peak year

Compare Don as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Don be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Don is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1789. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Don has two lives

Don, the baby name

#1789boys

167,538 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology

Don