Dontae
Primarily a boy's name of American origin with 5,892 recorded births. Also given to 17 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Dontae is a one-syllable boy's name with a open, approachable sound — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. With 5,892 recorded U.S. births since 1969, it sits in a sweet spot: recognizable enough to be a real name, uncommon enough to turn heads.
In the most recent SSA release, Dontae ranks #2952 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Dontae is a boy's and girl's baby name of American origin, a creative African-American variation of Dante combining the Italian literary name with the popular -tae suffix. It carries both the artistic legacy of Dante Alighieri and the inventive spirit of contemporary American naming.
EtymologyShow more
Dontae is cataloged under the American naming tradition. Names from the American tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Dontae has been recorded as a boy's name since 1969, with 5,892 total births. Browse the American names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Dontae was #1096 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2952, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 251 | #2650 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 921 | #1735 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 1,557 | #1068 | — |
| 1990s | 1,703 | #836 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 1,130 | #870 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 324 | #1968 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 6 | #4076 | — |
The Story of Dontae
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1996, Dontae is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Dontae are most likely born between 1986 and 2006.
How rare is Dontae?
Only about 1 in every 85,714 babies born in 2024 was named Dontae — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1969, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1990s with 1,703 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Dontae by the numbers
- Would fill 123 school buses
- Meeting one Dontae per day would take 16.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(56 years, 1969–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 42 | #2952 |
| 2023 | 42 | #2962 |
| 2022 | 48 | #2725 |
| 2021 | 55 | #2446 |
| 2020 | 64 | #2167 |
| 2019 | 67 | #2137 |
| 2018 | 68 | #2088 |
| 2017 | 85 | #1792 |
| 2016 | 68 | #2070 |
| 2015 | 96 | #1646 |
| 2014 | 86 | #1753 |
| 2013 | 85 | #1726 |
| 2012 | 107 | #1502 |
| 2011 | 133 | #1286 |
| 2010 | 126 | #1350 |
| 2009 | 164 | #1126 |
| 2008 | 147 | #1200 |
| 2007 | 164 | #1115 |
| 2006 | 163 | #1082 |
| 2005 | 149 | #1104 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Dontae as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Dontae has also been given to 17 girls in the U.S. since 1981.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dontae a boy's or girl's name?
When was Dontae most popular?
How popular is the name Dontae?
Can Dontae be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1969–2024