doña

Doña is a Spanish honorific prefix used before the given name of a woman, functioning similarly to Mrs., Madam, or Dame in English. It signals respect, formality, or social status and is used in Spain and many Spanish-speaking countries, as well as in written or formal contexts.

Origin and form: Doña is the feminine counterpart of Don, both deriving from the Latin domina, meaning mistress or lady. Like Don, Doña is a courtesy title rather than part of a legal name and is placed before the person’s name, for example Doña María López, or used with a full name in formal address.

Usage and semantics: Doña is commonly associated with adult or elderly women or individuals of higher social standing, though it can appear in affectionate or ceremonial contexts. In everyday speech, Doña is often reserved for formal writing, introductions, or media; in casual conversation many speakers simply use the given name, or may use Don for men in formal addressing.

Notes: The male equivalent is Don. Doña is not typically a legal designation; it conveys respect and courtesy. In related Romance languages, there are analogous forms, such as Dona in Portuguese, which serves a similar function but orthographically differs from the Spanish Doña. Examples include Doña Sofía and Doña Marta, used to address or refer to prominent or respected women.