Dòmhnall

Dòmhnall is the Scottish Gaelic form of the given name Donald. It is common in Scotland, particularly among Gaelic-speaking communities and the Scottish diaspora. The spelling with the grave accent on the o is characteristic; the name is not limited to any one region but is strongly associated with the Gaelic-speaking Highlands and Islands.

Dòmhnall derives from Old Irish Domnall, from Proto-Celtic elements often interpreted as meaning "world" and "ruler" or "king." The conventional translation is "world ruler" or "ruler of the world." There is variation in spelling (Domhnall, Domnhall) and some debate about exact roots, but the meaning is typically rendered as leadership or rulership.

Dòmhnall is related to the English name Donald and to Irish Domhnall; in Gaelic, the genitive form is Dòmhnaill, and the surname MacDhòmhnaill descends from a Gaelic patronymic meaning "son of Dòmhnall," which produced the widely known surname MacDonald. Other surnames in Gaelic also reflect the given name's influence.

Today Dòmhnall remains a traditional, culturally significant name in Scotland and among Gaelic speakers. It appears in literature, song, and history and continues to be used by families who wish to preserve Gaelic naming practices; in English-language contexts, the name is typically anglicized as Donald.