Donald  Donald is a masculine given name derived from the Gaelic name "Dòmhnall". This comes from the Proto-Celtic "Dumno-ualos" ("world-ruler" or "world-wielder"). The final -"d" in "Donald" is partly derived from a misinterpretation of the Gaelic pronunciation by English speakers, and partly associated with the spelling of similar-sounding Germanic names, such as "Ronald". A short form of "Donald" is "Don". Pet forms of "Donald" include "Donnie" and "Donny". The feminine given name "Donella" is derived from "Donald". "Donald" has cognates in other Celtic languages: Modern Irish "Dónal" (anglicised as "Donal" and "Donall"); Scottish Gaelic "Dòmhnall", "Domhnull" and "Dòmhnull"; Welsh "Dyfnwal" and Cumbric "Dumnagual". Although the feminine given name "Donna" is sometimes used as a feminine form of "Donald", the names are not etymologically related. Domnall or Domhnall is the name of many ancient and medieval Gaelic kings and noblemen: