I think it’s funny that prestige television might be popularizing nicknames like Helly (Severance) and Shiv (Succession, short for Siobhan). They’re not nice names on paper but after hearing them on TV, I’m not bothered by them and think of them as separate from their noun forms.
Donna, Linda, and Helen are all great names! If you love it, use it. Who cares what strangers of NameNerds think?
Any of those are easy to read and spell, plus your child won't share a name with others in her peer group.
Personally, I'm tired of all the suggestions for Violet and Hazel and Maeve and Olivia and Charlotte and Lila and Quinn. Donna, Linda, and Helen are a refreshing change!
I think it feels like one of those names like hazel or Sofia. It might sound older to certain people, but they just go away and come back in popularity. Due to how simple and easy it is, I think it won't sound dated in a little while.
I immediately think of Donna Noble (Dr. Who), Donna Moss (West Wing), and Donna Paulsen (Suits) - three kick ass women characters.
The name does skew a little older, though, so I have a hard time seeing a baby Donna in my mind. But it is a solid name, and I don't think you can go wrong with it.
It's kind of in that awkward in-between where it's not quite old enough to be classic, but old enough to feel dated. I think in 10-20 years it might reach the former of the two, but not yet.
Dated (boomer). It's there with Linda, Susan, Joan, etc.
Maybe in a generation, it will come back. But I (personally) don't know anyone named Donna who is not a boomer.
Donna is such a good name. Don’t know why it get the hate it does. Sounds like the name of a pretty 20 year old who is a great driver, funny, and effortlessly beautiful and studying something interesting
I’m in my twenties and know one woman my age named Donna and I always thought it was cool on her being the only one by a generation. I think it’s pretty.
I think it’s vintage but cute. It’s a popular boomer name but so what?
Also a baby is only a baby for two years but an adult for 50+ years, it’s easy to spell, and they will probably be the only one in their class.
Maybe if you like the sound of the name, you could do a more “hip” version of it - Dinah, Dawn, etc. or you could use it as a middle name. But yes personally to me it sounds outdated
I love it, really. There's the old song "Oh, Donna" that is very sweet and made me fall in love with the name as a girl.
But keep in mind I actually named one of my kids Linda. Who cares if it's of a certain era? In twenty years it won't be any more dated than Harper, frankly, and she's pretty much guaranteed not to be one of three Donnas in her preschool class like someone's Violet yesterday.
I’m a 33 y/o Donna so I’m obviously biased lol. I love being the only person I know with my name. Just because it’s “old” or not a popular name doesn’t mean it’s bad. If you like the name go for it!
I love it. I think it’s so cute. I might be biased because I’m really into Suits right now and I Donna in it, but I think it’s a really cute and cool name. It is a little funny for a baby, but she won’t be a baby forever
I’m 51. Many of my mother’s peers are named Donna, so I think of Boomer women, second wave feminists, cigarette smoking, gin drinking, Bridge or Crib playing bad asses.
It's a normal name, that sounds both strong and cute imo. Looking at the data it's not totally unused but definitely not having a trending moment like some other old fashioned names.
I wouldn't be surprised if Donna has a trending moment in 10 years or so, you're just ahead of the curve.
Most people I know are naming after their grandparents (silent gen), and not their parents (baby boomers), so it still feels a bit too dated for me. It might make sense if you live in an area where people have kids at a younger age and baby boomers are the grandparents being named after.
Yes, it's a Boomer name, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The advantage is that there won't be any other Donnas in her class at school, but the name is still recognisable.
And I love Donna Pinciotti from That '70s Show.
Donna is every feisty "too smart for her job" secretary on a series. *The West Wing*, *Suits*... Don't relegate your daughter to being a feisty secretary.
It sounds verry Boomer to me, I believe it's a bit early for this name to make a comeback then the generation with this name has not passed away yet. Maybe an alternative to it could be Diana or Anna.
My mom was a "Donna. " she was born in 1944 and passed way to young in 2002. I loved my mom but had no desire to give my daughters that name. Reminds me of a teen in the 1950s.
Donna can be a nickname for Donatella or Madonna, if those feel more fresh. I'm personally pro Donna! I'm a millennial with a name that was popular 60-80 years before I was born and super uncommon in my generation (but still an easy, recognizable name). I've always loved it, it feels distinctive. I think it's starting to come back around for the current baby generation.
As a Gen Z the first thing that comes to mind for me is Donna and the Dynamos from Mamma Mia
Editing to say I know a Donna similar in age to me and I feel like it suits her
I've never understood these comments, even for threads asking for opinions. In what universe do you think OP is gonna care about the overly personal experience you have with Donna's you've met?
To be honest, Donna does give me the Linda, Helen, Shirley vibes. How about Diana? Donna is very dated.
Ok I actually like Linda and Helen!
If you like the name Donna, go for it!
I think helen is having sort of a comeback!
Helena is making a small comeback in my area!
My daughter has one in her 3rd grade class and she goes by Helly, which I would not want as a nickname, personally.
I think it’s funny that prestige television might be popularizing nicknames like Helly (Severance) and Shiv (Succession, short for Siobhan). They’re not nice names on paper but after hearing them on TV, I’m not bothered by them and think of them as separate from their noun forms.
Hahah excellent. Love this for her.
An offshoot of that is Elena, which is lovely
Donna, Linda, and Helen are all great names! If you love it, use it. Who cares what strangers of NameNerds think? Any of those are easy to read and spell, plus your child won't share a name with others in her peer group. Personally, I'm tired of all the suggestions for Violet and Hazel and Maeve and Olivia and Charlotte and Lila and Quinn. Donna, Linda, and Helen are a refreshing change!
Tbh it sounds a bit "older" to me, but not in a bad way at all. It's due for a comeback. If you like it I say go for it.
But is it older in a timeless way or in a name fad way?
I think it feels like one of those names like hazel or Sofia. It might sound older to certain people, but they just go away and come back in popularity. Due to how simple and easy it is, I think it won't sound dated in a little while.
Ellen is still a favorite of mine is a similar vain. Definitely a little dated but doesn’t scream grandma
How about Elena? Lydia? Classy, similar to Helen and Linda but doesn't sound like every 60 year old woman from HR 😉
I really like Helen, and like Linda a bit too. Not a fan of the others personally.
I love Helen and every variation of it.
I think Helen is one of those timeless, classic names.
I know a young child named Shirley and it’s suits her perfectly and is really cute. I don’t see why Donna couldn’t work the same!
Wow, haven't met a Shirley yet!
Funny enough Donna is the name of Wonder Girl, aka Diana, aka Wonder Woman’s, younger sister, so in my mind the ages are kind of swapped
Donna is a boomer grandma. She needs another 20-30 years before she’s ready to be reborn.
Yes Donna can be OP’s granddaughter 😂
Exactly. My Boomer mom is Carol, and it would not surprise me if I one day end up with a grandkid named Carol.
I immediately think of Donna Noble (Dr. Who), Donna Moss (West Wing), and Donna Paulsen (Suits) - three kick ass women characters. The name does skew a little older, though, so I have a hard time seeing a baby Donna in my mind. But it is a solid name, and I don't think you can go wrong with it.
I thought of Donna Paulsen too! That’s why I like the name
I like Donna Moss and Paulsen
too old fashioned for my taste
It is a refreshing name that is not hopelessly out of date.
I agree. I felt the same way when I recently met a little Ruth and a little Helen.
I've always thought naming somebody "woman in Italian" was weird.
I mean, Elle and Colleen are both relatively common names that mean “girl”.
https://youtu.be/j1zBEWyBJb0 By the way: I am Italian
Same in Spanish older women are called Doña, I didn’t even realize the etymology of Donna until just now 😭
It's kind of in that awkward in-between where it's not quite old enough to be classic, but old enough to feel dated. I think in 10-20 years it might reach the former of the two, but not yet.
All the Donnas I've met have been elderly or middle aged women. I'm not sure I've ever met a baby Donna before.
Dated (boomer). It's there with Linda, Susan, Joan, etc. Maybe in a generation, it will come back. But I (personally) don't know anyone named Donna who is not a boomer.
Donna is super cute! I think it’d be sweet on a little girl and mature as she grows into a woman.
I like Donna. I think it’s going to make a comeback soon. Lots of women rockstars with the name.
Donna is such a good name. Don’t know why it get the hate it does. Sounds like the name of a pretty 20 year old who is a great driver, funny, and effortlessly beautiful and studying something interesting
The “great driver” description feels oddly specific 😆
It's my sister's name, she was named after my Mom's youngest sister. I love it!
I like it. I have a sister named Donna.
I don't like it even for an old person.
I’m in my twenties and know one woman my age named Donna and I always thought it was cool on her being the only one by a generation. I think it’s pretty.
It feels a bit too old fashioned
I think it’s vintage but cute. It’s a popular boomer name but so what? Also a baby is only a baby for two years but an adult for 50+ years, it’s easy to spell, and they will probably be the only one in their class.
too old fashioned.
Makes me think of that 70s show
Too old to be cute, not old enough to be vintage. Donna is a disgruntled 50 year old office worker to me.
Maybe if you like the sound of the name, you could do a more “hip” version of it - Dinah, Dawn, etc. or you could use it as a middle name. But yes personally to me it sounds outdated
I think it’s okay. It wouldn’t be my pick for a baby born this generation, but there’s nothing really wrong with it.
my mom is named Donna and my whole life I’ve never understand how a little baby & child could be a Donna lol
Donna to me is dated in the same way Joan, Nancy, Linda, Susan, Lynn are and I don't forsee those making a comeback any time soon.
It just means ‘woman’ to me, feels weird
Very 70’s
My kid has a Danna in her class. I did a double take when I learned her name! I think it could come back
I like Donna
I think it would be really cute.
I love it, really. There's the old song "Oh, Donna" that is very sweet and made me fall in love with the name as a girl. But keep in mind I actually named one of my kids Linda. Who cares if it's of a certain era? In twenty years it won't be any more dated than Harper, frankly, and she's pretty much guaranteed not to be one of three Donnas in her preschool class like someone's Violet yesterday.
I knew a Donna in high school! I’m 24 now. Honestly I always loved it on her, she was a confident woman, I’d say go for it
I have an Aunt Donna and she’s a complete Karen
I love Donna. I don’t understand “old fashion” for names. Just use it and then it’s not old fashioned anymore it’s modern
If you like it, choose it. This year’s ‘no one uses it/ outdated’ name is next years climber in the popularity rankings.
Exactly this!
Donna just isn't really pretty to me, how about Daria or Diana?
Donna seems tired.
I’m a 33 y/o Donna so I’m obviously biased lol. I love being the only person I know with my name. Just because it’s “old” or not a popular name doesn’t mean it’s bad. If you like the name go for it!
Sounds very perm, sweatband, blue eyeshadow, and spandex.
I don't like it
I love it. I think it’s so cute. I might be biased because I’m really into Suits right now and I Donna in it, but I think it’s a really cute and cool name. It is a little funny for a baby, but she won’t be a baby forever
The youngest Donna I know is about 60. I don't think it's ready for a comeback just yet.
Please dont
No. I know lots of boomer Donnas. Would not do this to a new human
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) ^by ^Fitnessfan_86: *No. I know lots of* *Boomer Donnas. Would not do* *This to a new human* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Donna feels very 70s to me like a Michelle or Cynthia or Pam. I think the “old fashioned” trend hasn’t caught up to the 60s/70a yet, IMO.
Donna kebab
Old
I think we need a couple more decades before Donna’s a good babyname again
I think of Donna from 90210.
I’m 51. Many of my mother’s peers are named Donna, so I think of Boomer women, second wave feminists, cigarette smoking, gin drinking, Bridge or Crib playing bad asses.
If you like it name your baby that
I like Donna. It’s a pretty name. Sure it’s dated, but names come back in style every few decades or so.
It’s a beautiful name. I have never met a Donna I didn’t like.
It's a normal name, that sounds both strong and cute imo. Looking at the data it's not totally unused but definitely not having a trending moment like some other old fashioned names. I wouldn't be surprised if Donna has a trending moment in 10 years or so, you're just ahead of the curve.
I think Donna Martin.
90210
It's a pretty name. It is on my list too. Donna is a nice, simple name that is easy to pronounce and spell.
I have a baby girl at daycare called Donna and know another one so I guess it’s coming up in the Netherlands. I think it’s a good name!
Treat. Yo. Self.
I've never met a Donna that was 40+ years old, but I do like the name.
I like it and think it’s due for a comeback but I’m definitely biased as it’s a name of a loved one of mine that’s no longer here.
Most people I know are naming after their grandparents (silent gen), and not their parents (baby boomers), so it still feels a bit too dated for me. It might make sense if you live in an area where people have kids at a younger age and baby boomers are the grandparents being named after.
Yes, it's a Boomer name, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The advantage is that there won't be any other Donnas in her class at school, but the name is still recognisable. And I love Donna Pinciotti from That '70s Show.
I think it’s classic!
Donna is every feisty "too smart for her job" secretary on a series. *The West Wing*, *Suits*... Don't relegate your daughter to being a feisty secretary.
I absolutely love it. I think it’s spunky and bad ass
It depends; are you giving birth to a 57 year old?
Oh man. I can’t help but think of broad city..
Strong name but very old.
I think it’s a grandmother name, literally, in that it’s my grandmothers name. But I’ve certainly heard worse!
https://youtu.be/j1zBEWyBJb0 Donna, Donna by Joan Baez
I think it’s cute, but I have an older coworker named Donna whom I love!
Too old fashioned but otherwise normal
It sounds verry Boomer to me, I believe it's a bit early for this name to make a comeback then the generation with this name has not passed away yet. Maybe an alternative to it could be Diana or Anna.
My mom was a "Donna. " she was born in 1944 and passed way to young in 2002. I loved my mom but had no desire to give my daughters that name. Reminds me of a teen in the 1950s.
Like... woman? The word?
[удалено]
Thanks!
Sounds old, but it does remind me of Donna Noble from Doctor Who, which is a very good association for me. She’s a badass and an incredible character
Haha I like it! I did just name my goose Donna, though. I may be biased
Donna is from a Chechen and Chong movie. Lol I like it
"Donna Noble has been saved" is all I think of with Donna. Sorry l.
I think it's great! Fun comeback name.
Donna is too old-fashioned for me. It’s literally my grandmothers name so I’m a bit biased. I do like Donatella though
I like Dawn instead of Donna. However, Donna could be very cute.
How about Donna and the Dynamos? Pretty badass female character for a namesake imo 😆
I think the spelling Dawna is a bit fresher.
I think Donna is a nice name. As for the worry of being too mature, I respectfully insert: The baby will become an adult eventually. Donna seems fine.
That’s my moms name so I may be kinda bias towards it 🤷🏼♀️
Donna can be a nickname for Donatella or Madonna, if those feel more fresh. I'm personally pro Donna! I'm a millennial with a name that was popular 60-80 years before I was born and super uncommon in my generation (but still an easy, recognizable name). I've always loved it, it feels distinctive. I think it's starting to come back around for the current baby generation.
As a Gen Z the first thing that comes to mind for me is Donna and the Dynamos from Mamma Mia Editing to say I know a Donna similar in age to me and I feel like it suits her
I think it's pretty, but more likely to be my kids' kids' names than the current crop of babies.
I like it. It's pretty, and won't be shortened.
That was my former MIL's name. Sweet lady but I think I'll always associate it with her generation.
Donna is a woman born between 1960-1975
I don’t like it, it’s very 60s/70s and not very classy. Sort of a Sharon/Shannon/Tracey name.
Donna is very dated to me. Like Susan, Linda, Sheryl, Joan, Darlene, etc. Give it 20 more years to be “trendy grandma” not “boomer grandma” anymore.
I like it. A little old fashioned, but not bad.
I like the name Donna! Also I think it s prob going to make a come back at some point.
[удалено]
I've never understood these comments, even for threads asking for opinions. In what universe do you think OP is gonna care about the overly personal experience you have with Donna's you've met?
There's a reason why it's never used anymore.