Irish boy name
Domhnall Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Domhnall means world ruler. From Old Celtic elements meaning 'world' and 'mighty'
Domhnall is the Irish form of a very old Celtic name meaning world ruler. It was a favourite among Irish kings and chiefs, and also moved across the sea to Scotland, where it became Donald. In Ireland the spelling Dónal or Donal is common, while Domhnall in full keeps the original Irish look. The actor Domhnall Gleeson has helped bring the full spelling to wider attention. The pronunciation is DOH-nul, with the bh silent. It is solid, traditional and strongly Irish. Domhnall suits parents who want a classic name with a long royal history.
Computer-generated voice, as a guide to pronunciation.
Variants of Domhnall
DonalDónalDonallDomnall
Well-known people named Domhnall
Domhnall Gleeson.
Domhnall popularity: Ireland vs the US
In 2025 Domhnall ranked #552 in Ireland (5 babies). It is too rare to appear in US rankings.
Ireland (boys)
Rank among babies of the same sex, 1 = most popular (log scale). Ranks below #10,000 sit on the bottom edge. Gaps mean fewer than 3 Irish or 5 US babies that year.
Data: US Social Security Administration (public domain) and Central Statistics Office, Ireland (CC BY 4.0). Irish accented spellings (such as Síle) are only recorded from 2018, so earlier years combine spellings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Domhnall mean?
Domhnall means "world ruler". From Old Celtic elements meaning 'world' and 'mighty'.
How do you pronounce Domhnall?
Domhnall is pronounced DOH-nul.
What is the origin of Domhnall?
Domhnall is of Irish origin. From Old Celtic elements meaning 'world' and 'mighty'.