Dona

Dona is a term used in several languages to denote a woman of status, as well as a personal name or part of place and organization names. It derives from the Latin domina, meaning “lady” or “mistress,” and gave rise to related forms in Romance languages.

In Spanish and Portuguese, Dona functions as a title placed before a woman's given name or full name. In Spanish the standard form is Doña with a tilde; in Portuguese the corresponding title is Dona, written without diacritics. The title conveys respect, affection, or social familiarity, and its use varies by country, region, and context. In contemporary formal settings, it is less common and may be felt as old-fashioned, though it still appears in familial or traditional contexts.

As a given name, Dona appears as a feminine name in some communities, independently or as part of compound names, reflecting the honorific origin. The form is sometimes adopted in literature or contemporary naming without necessarily signaling a social relationship.

Geographic or organizational uses of Dona exist but are diverse, including place names and branding that reflect the word’s cultural associations with femininity or respect. However, such uses are not tied to a single standard meaning and depend on local language and history.

See also: Doña, Donna, Madam, Signora.