The nameDonovan
Donovan is a boy's name of Irish origin meaning "dark-haired chief". It is popular in the United States and France.
- Boy's name
- Irish
Meaning
Donovan comes from the Irish Ó Donnabháin, from donn, "brown, dark", and dubh, "black".
Origin
Irish. Donovan was a surname before becoming a first name.
History
The Scottish singer Donovan, in the 1960s, made it known. It reached the American top 180.
Did you know?
- The Canadian sprinter Donovan Bailey won the Olympic 100 metres in Atlanta in 1996 in a world record 9.84 seconds.
Famous people named Donovan
- Donovan, singer
- Donovan Mitchell, basketball player
- Donovan Bailey, sprinter
Popularity of the name Donovan
Donovan in the United States
Donovan was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 19,388 births over the decade, 32% of all recorded babies named Donovan. Its rise began around 1967, and it peaked in 2003. Half of all babies named Donovan in the United States were born before 2002. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 700 births a year on average, against 1,103 in the five years before.
Donovan in the United Kingdom
Donovan was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 247 births over the decade, 37% of all recorded babies named Donovan. Half of all babies named Donovan in the United Kingdom were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 17 births a year on average, against 22 in the five years before.
Donovan in France
Donovan in Belgium
Sibling names for Donovan
Names from the same generation as Donovan, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Donovan? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Donovan with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Donovan side by side with the name of your choice.
Donovan in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Donovan mean?
Donovan comes from the Irish Ó Donnabháin, from donn, "brown, dark", and dubh, "black".
What is the origin of the name Donovan?
Irish. Donovan was a surname before becoming a first name.
Is Donovan a girl's or a boy's name?
Donovan is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Donovan?
In 2024, Donovan was the 505th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 603 births.
What are good sibling names for Donovan?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Nadia, Kyla, Jessie and Bianca for a sister, Oscar, Andy, Mario and Connor for a brother.
Who are famous people named Donovan?
Donovan, singer; Donovan Mitchell, basketball player; Donovan Bailey, sprinter.