Donici

Donici refers to the Romanian surname. It is derived from the given name Doniță, which is a diminutive form of the name Donat.

Origin and Meaning

The name Donat itself is of Latin origin, meaning "given" or "gifted" (from donatus). The addition of the Romanian suffix "-ici" indicates "of" or "belonging to," so Donici essentially means "belonging to Doniță" or "descendant of Doniță/Donat."

Distribution

The surname Donici is primarily found in Romania, particularly in the historical regions of Moldavia and Wallachia. Due to emigration, it may also be found in other countries with Romanian diaspora communities.

Notable Individuals

The most well-known individual with this surname is Alexandru Donici (1806-1865), a prominent Romanian/Moldavian fabulist and translator. He is considered one of the most important figures in Romanian literature of the 19th century. His fables were often inspired by Aesop and La Fontaine.

Variations

Variations of the name may include Doniță, Donat, and other related forms.