Donovan: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: Donovan is associated with leadership and nobility from 10th century Ireland.

Donovan Overview

Meaning

Dark, brown-haired chieftain

Gender

Boy

Origin

Irish

Etymology

Derived from the Irish surname Ó Donndubháin, meaning “descendant of Donndubán.” The name Donndubán itself means “dark brown” or “little dark one” in Gaelic.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈdɒnəvən/

Popularity

Donovan is widely recognized in the United States and Ireland. In 2023, it ranked #466 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

4 (Orderly, Steady, Service-oriented)

Name Styles

Traditional, Cool, Unique

Associated Traits

Intelligent, strong, charismatic, adventurous

Name Day

October 17th

Donovan Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Donovan, Donavan, Donivan, Donavon, Donnivan, Donnovin, Donovon, Donaven, Donoven, Donnyvan

Common Nicknames

Don, Donny, Van, Dono, D, Donnie, Vanny, DV, Donnie-Van, Nonny

Diminutives

Donnie, Donny, Dono, Dony, Van, Vanny, Donny-boy, Donno, Doni, Dony-Pie

Famous People

Donovan Mitchell
(American Basketball Player)
Donovan McNabb
(American Football Player)
Donovan Bailey
(Jamaican-Canadian Runner)
Donovan Patton
(American TV Actor)
Donovan Leitch
(Scottish Rock Singer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

"Ray Donovan"
(TV Series)
Donovan Baine
("Darkstalkers," Video Game)
Donovan Decker
("Jane by Design," TV Series)
Donovan
("JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," Manga Series)

Places

Donovan Village
(Illinois, USA)
Donovan Community
(Georgia, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Donovan?

Donovan means “dark, brown-haired chieftain,” symbolizing leadership and strength.

What Is the Origin of The Name Donovan?

Donovan originates from the Irish surname Ó Donndubháin, which means “descendant of Donndubhán.”

Donovan Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Donovan in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#4482022	#4662023
Top 3 Rankings	#1762003	#1852005	#1872004

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Donovan

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	466 (-18 from 2022)	649 (-43 from 2022)	0.03544
2022	448 (-23 from 2021)	692 (-34 from 2021)	0.03695
2021	425 (-51 from 2020)	726 (-103 from 2020)	0.03875
2020	374 (-22 from 2019)	829 (-116 from 2019)	0.04482
2019	352 (-29 from 2018)	945 (-85 from 2018)	0.04917
2018	323 (-1 from 2017)	1030 (-30 from 2017)	0.05299
2017	322 (-16 from 2016)	1060 (-99 from 2016)	0.05356
2016	306 (-24 from 2015)	1159 (-144 from 2015)	0.05722
2015	282 (+2 from 2014)	1303 (+32 from 2014)	0.06373
2014	284 (-3 from 2013)	1271 (+34 from 2013)	0.06202
2013	281 (-6 from 2012)	1237 (-35 from 2012)	0.06122
2012	275 (-21 from 2011)	1272 (-91 from 2011)	0.06269
2011	254 (-37 from 2010)	1363 (-281 from 2010)	0.06710
2010	217 (-2 from 2009)	1644 (-97 from 2009)	0.08002
2009	215 (-1 from 2008)	1741 (-43 from 2008)	0.08209
2008	214 (-17 from 2007)	1784 (-260 from 2007)	0.08182
2007	197 (+1 from 2006)	2044 (+77 from 2006)	0.09228
2006	198 (-13 from 2005)	1967 (-219 from 2005)	0.08972
2005	185 (+2 from 2004)	2186 (+131 from 2004)	0.10276
2004	187 (-11 from 2003)	2055 (-156 from 2003)	0.09724
2003	176 (+14 from 2002)	2211 (+247 from 2002)	0.10523
2002	190 (+21 from 2001)	1964 (+307 from 2001)	0.09503
2001	211 (-5 from 2000)	1657 (-61 from 2000)	0.08011
2000	206 (+4 from 1999)	1718 (+86 from 1999)	0.08227
1999	210 (-1 from 1998)	1632 (+90 from 1998)	0.08004
1998	209 (+4 from 1997)	1542 (+93 from 1997)	0.07605
1997	213 (+33 from 1996)	1449 (+248 from 1996)	0.07253
1996	246 (+15 from 1995)	1201 (+124 from 1995)	0.05994
1995	261 No change from 1994	1077 (-33 from 1994)	0.05355
1994	261 (-12 from 1993)	1110 (-34 from 1993)	0.05446
1993	249 (-6 from 1992)	1144 (-32 from 1992)	0.05539
1992	243 (+13 from 1991)	1176 (+117 from 1991)	0.05602
1991	256 (+40 from 1990)	1059 (+207 from 1990)	0.04996
1990	296 (+15 from 1989)	852 (+80 from 1989)	0.03959
1989	311 (+10 from 1988)	772 (+100 from 1988)	0.03683
1988	321 (+5 from 1987)	672 (+42 from 1987)	0.03356
1987	326 (+48 from 1986)	630 (+136 from 1986)	0.03230
1986	374 (+17 from 1985)	494 (+34 from 1985)	0.02571
1985	391 (+72 from 1984)	460 (+128 from 1984)	0.02390
1984	463 (+41 from 1983)	332 (+54 from 1983)	0.01769
1983	504 (+3 from 1982)	278 (-1 from 1982)	0.01492
1982	507 (-13 from 1981)	279 (-10 from 1981)	0.01478
1981	494 (-45 from 1980)	289 (-55 from 1980)	0.01552
1980	449 (+9 from 1979)	344 (+27 from 1979)	0.01855
1979	458 (+18 from 1978)	317 (+24 from 1978)	0.01770
1978	476 (-35 from 1977)	293 (-31 from 1977)	0.01715
1977	441 (-28 from 1976)	324 (-24 from 1976)	0.01895
1976	413 (+12 from 1975)	348 (+10 from 1975)	0.02132
1975	425 (-21 from 1974)	338 (-31 from 1974)	0.02083
1974	404 (-4 from 1973)	369 (-9 from 1973)	0.02263
1973	400 (-9 from 1972)	378 (-25 from 1972)	0.02343
1972	391 (-25 from 1971)	403 (-76 from 1971)	0.02407
1971	366 (-1 from 1970)	479 (-22 from 1970)	0.02635
1970	365 (-4 from 1969)	501 (+23 from 1969)	0.02630
1969	361 (+94 from 1968)	478 (+195 from 1968)	0.02613
1968	455 (+44 from 1967)	283 (+56 from 1967)	0.01594
1967	499 (+73 from 1966)	227 (+52 from 1966)	0.01276
1966	572 (+77 from 1965)	175 (+43 from 1965)	0.00963
1965	649 (+60 from 1964)	132 (+13 from 1964)	0.00697
1964	709 (+51 from 1963)	119 (+17 from 1963)	0.00587
1963	760 (-9 from 1962)	102 (-1 from 1962)	0.00494
1962	751 (-52 from 1961)	103 (-16 from 1961)	0.00490
1961	699 (+175 from 1960)	119 (+44 from 1960)	0.00552
1960	874 (-51 from 1959)	75 (-11 from 1959)	0.00346
1959	823 (+54 from 1958)	86 (+12 from 1958)	0.00397
1958	877 (-174 from 1957)	74 (-42 from 1957)	0.00343
1957	703 (+89 from 1956)	116 (+28 from 1956)	0.00530
1956	792 (-84 from 1955)	88 (-19 from 1955)	0.00410
1955	708 (+121 from 1954)	107 (+31 from 1954)	0.00512
1954	829 (-31 from 1953)	76 (-4 from 1953)	0.00367
1953	798 (+23 from 1952)	80 (+7 from 1952)	0.00400
1952	821 (-72 from 1951)	73 (-13 from 1951)	0.00370
1951	749 (-27 from 1950)	86 (-4 from 1950)	0.00450
1950	722 (+95 from 1949)	90 (+20 from 1949)	0.00495
1949	817 (-51 from 1948)	70 (-8 from 1948)	0.00388
1948	766 (+12 from 1947)	78 No change from 1947	0.00438
1947	778 (-62 from 1946)	78 (-5 from 1946)	0.00420
1946	716 (+101 from 1945)	83 (+25 from 1945)	0.00503
1945	817 (-27 from 1944)	58 (-5 from 1944)	0.00423
1944	790 (-26 from 1943)	63 (-10 from 1943)	0.00454
1943	764 (+31 from 1942)	73 (+8 from 1942)	0.00502
1942	795 (-25 from 1941)	65 No change from 1941	0.00462
1941	770 (-111 from 1940)	65 (-19 from 1940)	0.00518
1940	659 (+8 from 1939)	84 (+5 from 1939)	0.00708
1939	667 (-45 from 1938)	79 (-12 from 1938)	0.00697
1938	622 (+142 from 1937)	91 (+27 from 1937)	0.00801
1937	764 (-104 from 1936)	64 (-15 from 1936)	0.00585
1936	660 (+97 from 1935)	79 (+13 from 1935)	0.00742
1935	757 (-191 from 1934)	66 (-43 from 1934)	0.00617
1934	566 (+84 from 1933)	109 (+29 from 1933)	0.01026
1933	650 (-76 from 1932)	80 (-27 from 1932)	0.00784
1932	574 (+16 from 1931)	107 (+9 from 1931)	0.00996
1931	590 (+45 from 1930)	98 (+5 from 1930)	0.00916
1930	635 (+30 from 1929)	93 (+8 from 1929)	0.00823
1929	665 (-18 from 1928)	85 (-8 from 1928)	0.00767
1928	647 (+95 from 1927)	93 (+15 from 1927)	0.00815
1927	742 (+71 from 1926)	78 (+12 from 1926)	0.00671
1926	813 (-54 from 1925)	66 (-9 from 1925)	0.00576
1925	759 (+90 from 1924)	75 (+10 from 1924)	0.00651
1924	849 (-94 from 1923)	65 (-10 from 1923)	0.00556
1923	755 (+222 from 1922)	75 (+23 from 1922)	0.00662
1922	977 (-152 from 1921)	52 (-17 from 1921)	0.00462
1921	825 (+52 from 1920)	69 (+8 from 1920)	0.00606
1920	877 (+31 from 1919)	61 (+7 from 1919)	0.00554
1919	908 (+67 from 1918)	54 (+7 from 1918)	0.00532
1918	975 (+58 from 1917)	47 (+7 from 1917)	0.00448
1917	1033 (-141 from 1916)	40 (-9 from 1916)	0.00417
1916	892 (+33 from 1915)	49 (+4 from 1915)	0.00531
1915	925 (+8 from 1914)	45 (+10 from 1914)	0.00511
1914	933 (-3 from 1913)	35 (+7 from 1913)	0.00512
1913	930 (-54 from 1912)	28 (+2 from 1912)	0.00522
1912	876 (+106 from 1911)	26 (+14 from 1911)	0.00576
1911	982 (+101 from 1909)	12 (+4 from 1909)	0.00497
1910	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1909	1083 (+290 from 1908)	8 (+3 from 1908)	0.00452
1908	1373 (-443 from 1907)	5 (-4 from 1907)	0.00301
1907	930 (-78 from 1906)	9 No change from 1906	0.00568
1906	852 (-153 from 1905)	9 (-3 from 1905)	0.00625
1905	699 (+111 from 1904)	12 (+3 from 1904)	0.00838
1904	810 (-27 from 1903)	9 No change from 1903	0.00650
1903	783 (+150 from 1902)	9 (+2 from 1902)	0.00696
1902	933 (-75 from 1901)	7 No change from 1901	0.00527
1901	858 (+110 from 1900)	7 (-1 from 1900)	0.00606
1900	968 First SSA data recorded	8 First SSA data recorded	0.00493
1899	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1898	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1897	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1896	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1895	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1894	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1893	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1892	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1891	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1890	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1889	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1888	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1887	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1886	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1885	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1884	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1883	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1882	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1881	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1880	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Donovan

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

#3042021

#3362022

#3512023

Texas (TX)

#4372021

#4852022

#4602023

Florida (FL)

#3482021

#4412022

#5492023

New York (NY)

#4182021

#5812022

#3672023

Ohio (OH)

#3822021

#4712022

#5082023

Michigan (MI)

#6242021

#4452022

#4112023

Illinois (IL)

#3422021

#4022022

#5982023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#4232021

#4382022

#4282023

North Carolina (NC)

#3832021

#4392022

#6122023

Georgia (GA)

#3962021

#4422022

#5252023

Louisiana (LA)

#7342021

#3472022

#8492023

Virginia (VA)

#3662021

#4932022

#5932023

Arizona (AZ)

#4412021

#2932022

#4522023

Colorado (CO)

#4422021

#4422022

#4052023

Washington (WA)

#5482021

#4522022

#5032023

Minnesota (MN)

#5562020

#3842021

#6692023

Indiana (IN)

#4422021

#5702022

#4872023

Maryland (MD)

#8402021

#3002022

#4932023

Wisconsin (WI)

#4852021

#5782022

#8092023

New Jersey (NJ)

#4182021

#3772022

#3912023

Missouri (MO)

#5462021

#5432022

#4052023

Tennessee (TN)

#3752021

#6552022

#6092023

South Carolina (SC)

#5682021

#4562022

#5932023

Kentucky (KY)

#4842020

#4992021

#4952022

New Mexico (NM)

#3632017

#2462020

#3722022

Oklahoma (OK)

#5602021

#6242022

#5182023

Oregon (OR)

#6342021

#5462022

#5572023

Massachusetts (MA)

#7712021

#4152022

#2962023

Nevada (NV)

#2932020

#2632021

#4502022

Alabama (AL)

#4372020

#7892021

#7132023

Iowa (IA)

#3712020

#5952021

#2752022

Mississippi (MS)

#4212019

#4752020

#3872023

Utah (UT)

#5212021

#4792022

#3322023

Hawaii (HI)

#2122014

#1652016

#2022020

Kansas (KS)

#5252021

#4592022

#2842023

Connecticut (CT)

#3932021

#4622022

#4372023

Arkansas (AR)

#2612018

#4912019

#4402023

Nebraska (NE)

#4522020

#3822021

#4572023

District of Columbia (DC)

#2512017

#1782018

#2062023

West Virginia (WV)

#2522015

#3012016

#3212019

North Dakota (ND)

#1371999

#1542002

#2652017

Idaho (ID)

#2782018

#4032020

#3682023

Alaska (AK)

#1812009

#1802010

#1852020

South Dakota (SD)

#2032008

#2502013

#2182017

Rhode Island (RI)

#2082019

#1842021

#1962022

Montana (MT)

#1512007

#2412011

#2362019

New Hampshire (NH)

#2002011

#2152012

#2232018

Maine (ME)

#1812009

#2192010

#2372020

Delaware (DE)

#1062004

#1372007

#1522008

Vermont (VT)

#1282009

#772010

#1322013

Wyoming (WY)

#842005

#1432016

Popularity Rankings for Donovan in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa

Guam

Northern Mariana Islands

U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories

#1061998

#561999

#522000

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium

#1811999

#1652000

#1842001

Popularity in France

France

#1661999

#1862000

#1982002

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#2542020

#2282021

#4012022

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#2721998

#2802001

#3982013

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#3461974

#3741982

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

#4191998

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#5382006

#9402008

#8432012

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#7182012

#5502014

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#6062020

#6042021

#9822022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#8182008

#8782010

#9462016

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Donovan a Name for Boys or Girls?

Donovan is typically a boys’ name. Its roots in Irish tradition and the strong, chieftain-like meaning make it a popular choice for boys.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Donovan

Meaning: Dark, brown-haired chieftain
Origin: IrishDonovan
Donavan
Donivan
Donavon
Donnivan
Donnovin
Donovon
Donaven
Donoven
Donnyvan

Don
Donny
Van
Dono
D
Donnie
Vanny
DV
Donnie-Van
Nonny

Donnie
Donny
Dono
Dony
Van
Vanny
Donny-boy
Donno
Doni
Dony-Pie

Donovan in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Donovan Mitchell (Basketball Player, 1996): An American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, known for his impressive scoring and athleticism.
Donovan McNabb (Football Player, 1976): A former NFL quarterback who played 13 seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Donovan Bailey (Runner, 1967): A retired Jamaican-Canadian sprinter who won gold in the 100 meters at the 1996 Olympics.
Donovan Patton (TV Actor, 1978): An American actor and television host best known for his role on "Blue's Clues."
Donovan Leitch (Rock Singer, 1946): A Scottish singer-songwriter famous for his hits in the 1960s like "Mellow Yellow."

Ray Donovan ("Ray Donovan," 2013 TV Series): A "fixer" for Hollywood's elite, helping to solve their problems through unorthodox means.
Donovan Baine ("Darkstalkers," Video Game): A dhampir monk and vampire hunter in the "Darkstalkers" fighting game series.
Donovan Decker ("Jane by Design," 2012 TV Series): A fashion designer in this teen drama.
Donovan ("JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," Manga Series): A character inspired by the musician Donovan.

Donovan Village (Illinois, USA): A village in Iroquois County, known for its small-town charm and agricultural community.
Donovan Community (Georgia, USA): A locality in Georgia, appreciated for its rural setting and friendly residents.

Donavan
Donnie
Donevin
Donal
Donell
Donato
Don
Meaning: Dark, brown-haired chieftain
Origin: IrishDonovan
Donnan
Donaldo

Duncan
Douglas
Darcel
Meaning: Descendant of the fiery one, son of Aodhagán, small flame
Origin: IrishKeegan
Meaning: Dark-haired, pale
Origin: Old EnglishBlake
Meaning: Dark-eyed
Origin: IrishSullivan
Ciaran
Meaning: Swarthy, coal black, charcoal
Origin: EnglishCole
Lonan
Orpheus

Sibling Names for Donovan

For a Brother
For a Sister

Meaning: Delicate
Origin: HebrewDelilah
Dana
Donna
Meaning: Beloved, little deer
Origin: Hebrew, ScottishDavina
Dionne
Meaning: Laurel tree
Origin: GreekDaphne
Meaning: Divine, heavenly, goddess
Origin: Latin, GreekDiana
Darcy
Meaning: God is my judge
Origin: HebrewDanielle
Daria

Parents Who Like the Name Donovan Also Like

The name Donnovan can work as a great name choice for your boy. Before signing off, please tell me your experience in picking a name for babies in the comment. Furthermore, you can even share the name with others.

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Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

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Donovan Name Meaning