Donna is an English-language feminine first name meaning 'woman' in modern Italian, and 'lady' or 'mistress' in classical Italian. The original meaning is closer to 'lady of the home' and was a title of respect in Italy, equivalent to Don for gentlemen or lord. It is a common given name in the United States, particularly in Chicago, Florida, New York City, and Washington. It is rare as a surname.
People with the given name Donna Adelson (born 1950), American convicted murderer Donna Air (born 1979), English actress Donna Alvermann, American educator and researcher Donna Andrews, American author Donna Axum (1942–2018), American beauty pageant winner, author, television executive producer, philanthropist and model Donna Baird, American epidemiologist and evolutionary-population biologist Donna Barnes, American politician Donna J. Boley (born 1935), American politician Donna Brazile, American political activist Donna Bruton (1954–2012), American painter, educator Donna Burke, Australian singer, voice actress and businesswoman Donna Christensen (born 1945), American physician and politician Donna Cruz, Filipino pop singer Donna Deegan (born 1961), American politician Donna D'Errico, American actress Donna Dixon, American actress Donna Doore, American politician Donna Douglas, American actress Donna Edwards, American politician Donna Ellis, American politician Donna Fargo, American country singer Donna M. Felling, American politician Donna Feore (born 1963), Canadian choreographer and theatre director Donna Ferrato (born 1949), American photojournalist and activist Donna Gabaccia (born 1949), American historian Donna Givens, American politician from Alabama Donna Jean Godchaux (1947–2025), American singer Donna Gould (born 1966), Australian cyclist Donna Hanover (born 1950), American journalist, radio and television personality, and actress Donna Haraway, American philosopher Donna Harpauer, Canadian politician Donna Howard (born 1951), American politician Donna Hylton, Jamaican-American kidnapper and murderer Donna Karan, American fashion designer Donna Kelce, American former banker Donna Kellogg (born 1978), English badminton player Donna Keogh, British missing person Donna Kirkland, Australian politician Donna Kossy (born 1957), American writer Donna Ladd (born 1961), American journalist Donna Langley (born 1968), British film executive, and chairwoman of Universal Pictures Donna Leon (born 1942), American novelist Donna Lewis, Welsh singer Donna Loren (born 1947), American singer and actress, the Dr Pepper Girl in the 1960s
Donna Maguire, Provisional Irish Republican Army member Donna Mayhew, American javelin thrower Donna McKechnie (born 1942), American actress Donna Mergler, Canadian physiologist Donna Mills, American actress who played Abby Cunningham on Knots Landing Donna Mombourquette, American politician Donna Morrissey, Canadian author Donna Murphy (born 1959), American stage and film actress Donna Nelson (born 1954), American chemist and professor Donna Orender (born 1957), American Women's Pro Basketball League All-Star guard and former WNBA president Donna Pescow, American actress Donna Reed, American actress
Donna Robertson (born 1969), Scottish judoka and wrestler Donna Rozar (born 1950), American politician, businesswoman, and nurse Donna Rubin (born 1959), American tennis player Donna Scott-Mottley, Jamaican politician Donna Schlachman (born 1949), American politician Donna Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Bill Clinton Donna Strickland, Canadian physicist and Nobel laureate 2018 Donna Summer (1948–2012), American singer, notably of disco music Donna Tartt, American writer Donna Testerman (born 1960), mathematician Donna Vekić, Croatian tennis player Donna Wilkes (born 1958), American actress Donna Zuckerberg (born 1987), American classicist, feminist, and writer
Fictional characters Donna Bishop, character in Home and Away Donna Berzatto, character on The Bear Donna Cabonna, character in That's So Raven Donna Duck, character in the 1937 Disney short Don Donald Donna Clark (née Emerson), a character in Halt and Catch Fire Donna Freedman, character in Neighbours Donna Hayward, character in Twin Peaks Donna Henshaw, a character in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps Donna Logan, character in The Bold and the Beautiful Donna Ludlow, character in EastEnders Donna Martin, character in Beverly Hills, 90210 Donna Meagle, main character in Parks and Recreation Donna Moss, main character in The West Wing Donna Noble, character in Doctor Who Donna Paulsen, character in Suits Donna Pinciotti, character That 70s Show Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! Donna Troy aka "Wonder Girl", character from DC Comics Donna Tubbs, character in The Cleveland Show Donna Windsor, character in Emmerdale Donna Yates, character in EastEnders
See also
Dana Donka (name)
References