Donal

Donal is a masculine given name, primarily used in Ireland and among Irish communities abroad. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Domhnall, a name historically associated with nobility and leadership. The element is often interpreted as relating to the world or ruler, with common renderings such as “world ruler” or “ruler of the world.” The name has long been part of Irish naming traditions and remains in occasional use, alongside its English counterpart Donald. Variants include Donall and Donell.

Notable individuals named Donal include Donal Lunny, an Irish musician and a founding member of Planxty; Donal Logue, an Irish-born American actor; Donal Skehan, an Irish food writer and television presenter; Donal McCann, an Irish stage and screen actor; and Donal MacIntyre, a British investigative journalist. These figures illustrate the name’s continued presence in arts, media, and public life.

See also: Donald (name), Domhnall, and related variants.