Devon

At a Glance

Meaning

Named for the English county of Devon, itself from Old English 'Defenas' ('the Devonians')

Origin

English (place name — county of Devon)

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

DEV-unListen

Devon is a boy's name taken from the English county of Devon, which itself comes from the Old English 'Defenas,' meaning 'the Devonians.' You'll sometimes see it said to mean 'poet,' but that isn't right: that claim belongs, dubiously, to the name Devin, and Devon traces to the place. It's pronounced DEV-un, and it suits parents drawn to outdoorsy, nature-inspired names with a classic, timeless feel.

Meaning & Origin of Devon

Meaning: Named for the English county of Devon, itself from Old English 'Defenas' ('the Devonians').

Origin: English (place name — county of Devon).

A common claim: Devon is sometimes also said to mean 'poet' — a claim more properly (if still dubiously) associated with the name Devin. Actually: Devon doesn't mean 'poet'; it traces to the English county of Devon (Old English Defenas, 'the Devonians'), not to any word for poet.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Devon

Popularity of Devon

Devon peaked at #117 in 1994, when 3,034 boys were given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #955, with 236 babies, so it's now a much less common pick than it was a generation ago.

Names Like Devon

These names share Devon’s style, era or origin.

• Alder
• Beckham
• Birch
• Brandon
• Caspian
• Cedar

FAQ

What does the name Devon mean?

Named for the English county of Devon, itself from Old English ‘Defenas’ (‘the Devonians’). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Devon?

Devon is pronounced DEV-un (IPA: /ˈdɛvən/).

Is Devon a popular name right now?

Devon peaked at #117 in 1994 and is ranked #955 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1914–2024.)

Make Devon Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Devon, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.