Donato

Donato is a masculine given name and surname of Italian origin. It derives from the Latin name Donatus, meaning “given” or “gifted.” The Italian form Donato has long been used in religious and secular contexts and remains common in Italy and among Italian communities abroad. The name has also appeared in other cultures through migration and adaptation, sometimes with minor spelling variations.

As a given name, Donato has been borne by notable historical figures. One of the best known is Donato Bramante, the Italian Renaissance architect associated with early designs for St. Peter’s Basilica. The name is also connected to the Renaissance artist commonly known as Donatello, whose full name was Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi. These associations reflect the name’s longstanding presence in Italian art and scholarship.

Donato is also used as a surname in Italian and Spanish-speaking communities. In this usage, it often originates as a patronymic or matronymic form derived from a given name, linking bearers to ancestral roots in a family line. As a surname, Donato appears in various countries and may be found among people of different professions and backgrounds.

In contemporary contexts, Donato continues to function as both a first name and a surname, particularly within Italian-origin populations and their diaspora. It is recognized as a traditional, culturally rooted name with historical ties to Latin linguistic heritage and Italian naming practices.