Donald or Donalbain

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Again, two classic Scottish names. Donalbain is the name of a much beloved uncle we lost during Covid so is close to my heart. Donald is more common. Both I like.

It’s a common name in our family. We have at least one in every generation.

Murray. Another fine, Scottish name that we are considering for our son. Hope it has your approval, and that of the other sneery ones this site.

Think you might have been better asking for replies from just Scots, as people outwith the culture are only commenting based on their own perspectives. I never think twice about the name Donald, in that it's a prefect ordinary name, and don't associate with that man. Or Donald Tusk, the only other famous Donald I can think of. It's been on the up in Scotland in the last few years - still in single figures but plenty of parents undeterred by the heidbanger across the pond.

I've never come across Donalbain, although I know he was a historical figure long before Shakespeare was born. I rather like it.

But don't allow it to be shortened to Donal - that's the Anglo/Irish spelling and you sound very Scottish!

I didn’t even think “Trump”! Donald is quite a common name in Scotland?

I like both but Donalbain is more unusual so I would pick that. Wo uld you go Donnie/Donal as a nickname?

Donald and Daniel used to be interchangeable in the Scottish past.

not Donald, surely. Poor kid wouldn’t be able to travel.

I taught a South Korean Adolf a while ago who had moved to the uk. Poor kid.

Donald is a perfectly normal name in Scotland. I don’t think trump when someone says Donald.

however, Donalbain is proper odd. Never heard it before and I think it should stay that way.

I'm from Scotland. Donald was under consideration for my son, who is 6. I think other folks on here have been quite rude about what is a normal name here and not at all like Adolf. I can't imagine he'd have problems later in life with that name. I know plenty of Donalds of varying ages.

I am also familiar with Donalbain, I think it would have to be spelt out a lot these days but it sounds like it's a special name for you, so if you like it you should definitely use it. Murray which I've just seen is also on the list is also a great name.

Donalbain, Dougal, Magnus and Beare (in addition to others) are all names we are considering for our son. Nothing proper odd about them at all. They’ve been in my family for a long time.

I love Magnus it's a cracking name

I like Magnus and Beare a lot!

donalbain is lovely.

it will be associated with your loved one. this can be good and bring back lovely happy memories.

or it can be giving your child a reputation to live up to, eg your namesake was so good at art but you're not, or suchlike.

im a fan of giving a child its own name. with the middle names of loved family members you want to honour.

all the names you like would be fine though. you may have to wait to see his little face before you choose though! sometimes they just look like one in particular!

best laid plans…!

Donald is a brilliant name. I know lots of young ones (mostly going by Donnie, but not all). Take no notice of the nonsense-purveyors in the thread.

Where we are, the first son in the family gets paternal grandfather's name as first name, maternal as second, no messing about with modernising things at all - because are you really going to be the one to break the chain that stretches back through your whole family line? Also it makes it much easier to remember your sloinneadh, and if you can't do that back eight generations you have failed 😜

I would advise against those names, yes.

Donalbain is a great name. It's a name that has personal resonance for you.

Honestly just no. Never mind Donald trump what about Donald Duck? He will get called that for sure It’s just not to me a name for a baby. A precious middle name for sure, or if u really must then maybe Donnie? Don?

Dougal is really lovely too.
For me, the choice would be between Donalbain and Dougal.

I actually quite like the idea of Donalbain. Good Shakespearean name. In current times, I fear Donald would for many people bring to mind the cheesy wotsit Hitler.

Murray is a proper fine Scottish given first name.
Donalbain a good solid Scottish memorial second name.

Dougal and Magnus are good names. Beare is a bit odd though, especially as as far as I’m aware it’s an Irish surname. But could be wrong there.

I love Magnus.
im Scottish, I personally wouldn’t go for either name you’ve suggested, I’m not sneering I just don’t like one and the other I think has very particular connotations at the moment. It isn’t the same as names like Andrew because they are far more common.
What about just Donnie, Donovan or a name with the same meaning? Or does the person you want to honour have a middle name?
or what if it just has ‘don’ in it like landon, Brandon, Gordon

What a ridiculous post. How many countries in the world do you think there are where Trump wouldn't be the first Donald to spring to mind? But no, of course, it's just the English being 'superior' Besides, if the OP had only wanted opinions from Scottish people, presumably she would have said so.

Get that chip off your shoulder. I’m English and didn’t make the Trump association. The first thing I thought of was Donald Duck.

I quite like the name.

What a load of weird replies.
If you're in Scotland Donald is a perfectly normal name and I don't think anybody would automatically assume Trump or Duck.

"Poor kid wouldn't be able to travel" Seriously? What nonsense.

What about just Donal?

My first thought was Donald Trump, maybe in 10 years time but at the moment the association is too strong.

My second thought is Donald where’s your troosers.

Never heard of Donalbain but I’m guess he will be called Don most of the time? Which is OK. I do like Murray and Magnus.