Donovan

Donovan is a boy's name of Irish and Celtic origin. Its meaning is not recorded in the standard references we check — we would rather tell you that plainly than guess. In 2024 it was given to 603 boys in the United States.

Donovan at a glance

Gender
Boy name
Origin
Irish & Celtic
Meaning
Not recorded in standard references
Pronunciation
/ˈdɒnəvɪn/

About the name Donovan

Donovan belongs to the Irish & Celtic tradition. Its roots are documented, even though its precise meaning is not recorded in the standard references — an honest gap we prefer to a confident guess.

In the United States, Donovan first appears in Social Security records in 1900. It climbed to its best-ever rank of #176 in 2003, and in 2024 603 babies received the name — 61,070 in total since 1880. Those are the official counts, not estimates.

Donovan in US records

First recorded (US)
1900
Best US rank
#176 in 2003
Peak year
2003
Babies named Donovan in 2024
603
Total since 1880
61,070

Donovan in England & Wales records

First recorded (since 1996)
1996
Best rank
#654 in 1996
Babies named Donovan in 2025
28
Total since 1996
662

Similar names

More names from the Irish & Celtic shelf:

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Donovan mean?

The meaning of Donovan is not recorded in the standard references we check. Rather than repeat an unsourced claim, we leave it open — its Irish and Celtic origin is documented, but its exact meaning is not.

Is Donovan a boy or girl name?

Donovan is a boy name. In 2024, 603 babies received the name in the US.

What origin is the name Donovan?

Donovan comes from the Irish & Celtic tradition.

How popular is the name Donovan?

Donovan first appears in US records in 1900. Its best-ever ranking was #176 in 2003, and 603 babies were given the name in 2024.

How do you pronounce Donovan?

Donovan is pronounced /ˈdɒnəvɪn/ (IPA).

Share this name

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Meaning and origin for this page were checked against this source. US popularity figures are from the Social Security Administration's public baby-names data. England & Wales figures are from the Office for National Statistics. If you spot an error, write to [email protected] — accuracy is the whole point of this site, and corrections are made fast.