Donalyn is a female name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name Domhnall, meaning "ruler of the world." Donalyn is pronounced as doh-nuh-lin in both British English (/ˈdəʊnəlɪn/) and American English (/ˈdoʊnəlɪn/). Variations of this name include Donna and Donalynne. In terms of popularity, Donalyn has been recorded as a given name for newborns in the United States since at least the 1930s. While it hasn't reached high ranks in recent years, it has maintained a consistent presence. The name peaked in popularity during the 1960s and 1970s, with occasional spikes in between.