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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Descendant of the dark-haired one
- Origin
- Irish
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- DON-uh-vun
Donovan is an Irish name for a boy, pronounced DON-uh-vun, and it means "descendant of the dark-haired one." You may have seen it said to mean "dark warrior," but the Irish surname behind it (Ó Donndubháin) combines 'brown' and 'black/dark,' with no 'warrior' in it. It's a classic, worldly name that still feels modern.
Meaning & Origin of Donovan
Meaning: Descendant of the dark-haired one.
Origin: Irish.
A common claim: dark warrior Actually: Donovan is often said to mean 'dark warrior,' but the Irish surname behind it (Ó Donndubháin) actually combines 'brown' and 'black/dark' — there's no 'warrior' element.
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Donovan
DON-uh-vunIPA /ˈdɑːnəvən/
Popularity of Donovan
Donovan peaked at #176 in 2003, when 2,211 boys were given the name. As of 2024 it sits at #504 with 603 babies, so it's less common than it once was but still a familiar name.
Names Like Donovan
These names share Donovan’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Donovan mean?
Descendant of the dark-haired one. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Donovan?
Donovan is pronounced DON-uh-vun (IPA: /ˈdɑːnəvən/).
Is Donovan a popular name right now?
Donovan peaked at #176 in 2003 and is ranked #504 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1900–2024.)
Make Donovan Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Donovan, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Donovan? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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