donn

Donn is a masculine given name of Gaelic origin that is used in Ireland and Scotland. It is also found as a surname in some families, particularly where Gaelic naming traditions have persisted.

The name derives from the Old Irish word donn, meaning brown or dark-haired. As a nickname, donn described hair color or complexion and over time could become a fixed personal name. In Irish and Scottish Gaelic, the form Dónn (or Dónn with accents) reflects the same root, while Donn has become the standard anglicized spelling in many contexts.

In usage, Donn is most commonly associated with Gaelic heritage and is sometimes encountered in historical or literary contexts within Ireland and Scotland. In modern times, it appears among individuals with Gaelic ancestry, though it is not among the most common contemporary given names outside Gaelic-speaking communities. The name is generally regarded as traditional and classic rather than trendy.

Donn can appear in various cultural references tied to Gaelic history and literature, where it may be used to evoke a sense of heritage rather than to denote a specific historical figure. While it is not tied to a single well-known person or event in widely available sources, the name remains part of the broader family of Gaelic names that reflect descriptive nicknames based on physical traits.