Scottish and English from the Gaelic name Domhnall, "world ruler" [TG]. This was the name of four Kings of Scotland.
Daniel and Donald are sometimes, but not always, interchangeable in Scotland because Domhnall, the Gaelic version of Donald, may be Anglicized as Daniel. We have therefore classified these two names as Lesser Synonyms although it should be noted that these two names were fully synonymous in the 17th century and earlier.
A correspondent [GK] has recorded the following entry in Scotland:
'Dinald I-- R-- born 1901 in Portsoy, Banff.'
GK adds:
"The 'i' is very clear on the image of the entry (and his name at his) marriage was recorded as 'Donald I-- R--'."
We have no other reference to this spelling variation.
There is a large number of feminine variants of Domhnall or Donald. These include Doileag, Dolag, Dolanna, Dolina, Dollag, Dona, Donalda, Donaldina, Donella, Donna, Donnag.
Feminine pet names include Dol, Doll, Dolly, Donna, etc.
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