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.

Hi OP, the name Donald has been used for centuries in Scotland. Why should one person's name mar a centuries-old tradition? Go with what you like for your baby. I do like Donal (Dòmhnall) as well.

I know two toddlers called Theodore and one adult.

I think it will be shortened to Don or Donny anyway, and in Scotland, I don't think people will assume you're a trump fan. They'll assume you've named him after your dad or grandad and it will just be his name.
I have as much hatred in my heart for Trump as anyone, but I think Donald has more immediate association with Donald Where's your troosers and Donald Duck to me.
It's in no way like using adolf ffs.

How is Donabhain pronounced? Donovan??

Yes. People in German-speaking countries understand why men above a certain age might have that name. Below a certain age and people start to draw conclusions about what your family believes. It won’t happen to all names; some are too common or have other strong associations. It may happen to this name in the very near future.

Where I live there are so many Donalds that they are mostly known with their middle name eg Donald John, Donald Angus, Donald Douglas.

I didn't realise it was so very rare outside of Scotland. And what about Donny Osmond?!

Ok, and that's great. But if you also had an Uncle MacBeth in every generation it wouldn't make it a common name. Other than in your family. The name Donalbain is unheard of outside of your orbit. The views you're getting on it are because not everyone knows your family. It's "a" name. There are thousands of others, you get to choose. Your child will not remain in your bubble where everyone has an Uncle Donalbain.

I could have an Auntie Frenulum in every generation going back to the Tudors, but it woudln't make it any less unusual in a wider sense. Surely you understand that it's not sneering, but perspective? Which you wanted, and that's why you posted?

Exactly. For those reasons I would also not choose those

I am always astonished that people are prepared to risk their child being even slightly unhappy to make a point. Of course Donald is a proud traditional name, but it’s one that is currently off limits. Simple as that. There are lots of Donalds- of course there are-but the name didn’t have the baggage when they were named. It does now.

Well, Kate, since I live in Scotland, and have no intention of moving anytime soon, and as other Scottish people have noted on this thread, nobody will bat an eyelid if they hear the name Donald. By the time my son grows up and plans to study abroad or travel the world, Donald Trump will be dead, and any negative association will be dead. Problem solved.

Donal’s Irish tho. Isn’t OP looking for Scottish names?

By the time my son grows up and plans to study abroad or travel the world, Donald Trump will be dead, and any negative association will be dead. Problem solved.
I wouldn't count on that.

Agree with this. The OP had a similar post last week and was similarly rather combative towards any posters who dared suggest the names were unusual.

OP, for what it's worth, I'm from the Hebrides and have a Donald in every generation of my family going back a long time. I love the name and don't associated with DJT so would say fire away. However, I have never come across a Donalbain (outwith the play), a Tully or a Beare. Doesn't make me any less Scottish than you!

Edited as posted too soon.

There are quite a lot of Adolfs in their 80s/90s I believe. Likewise many 10+ year olds who are Osama.
Trump will fade (unlike Adolf, he only has a couple more years in power) but your Donald will be one of many in Scotland in this era.
I have a DC with a rare family first name that's the same as a 20th century politician who isn't much liked but it's a family name and zero people have asked if we thought twice due to said politician.

Well no, zero people have asked you why you chose that name, because social norms, but they've most definitely thought it. Horses for courses. I just don't see why, when there is a choice of literally anything you want, you'd choose something with an obvious negative connotation.

Out of interest, I've just Googled how popular Baby Donalds are in Scotland, I'm not familiar.

in 2017 there were 7 registered baby Donalds. Not massively popular any more, for some reason.

On Scotland's People there are 4,878,499 records with the name Donald . There are 0 for Donalbain.

I loathe Trump.

bit he’s not even close to the level of evil that was Hitler.

Yeah I wouldn’t be confident that Trump will be forgotten so quickly.

I love Donalbain! I'm not Scottish but I know it's classic, and I always enjoy a Shakespearean connection too. I also really like Murray, from your other options, as well as Magnus. But for the family connection, Donalbain or Murray!

(I also don't see as big an issue with Donald as many here, the comparisons to Adolf seem strange because how many English or Scottish people knew of an Adolf before Adolf Hitler? As you're in Scotland, the name is traditional and not uncommon, so the singular connotation won't be as strong. Even I know a few Donalds, older though they may be, so I don't associate the name solely with Trump! I just don't like it as much as your other name suggestions)

I hate the orange monster but he wouldn't put me off the name Donald. The orange thing will be gone by the time the child starts school and the orange thing will be forgotten.

What a ridiculous comment

Murdoch.

There were 7 in 2024 as well, so not unheard of but not exactly common either.
There were 70 something born the same year as my youngest with the same name as him and people remark on how unusual it is. It’s a classic scottish name too.

www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/babies-first-names-2024/

For those who are enjoying the stats here is the raw file for all Scottish baby names since 1974. It is quite absorbing so don't open it unless you want to waste a lot of time! https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/media/mbmjzs2q/full-list-1974-2023.csv