Donovan
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Dark warrior, strong fighter
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Popularity: Ranked #496 in 2025 with 609 babies born.
History: Donovan is an anglicization of the Irish 'Ó Donndubháin,' meaning descendant of Donndubhán, which combines 'donn' (brown or dark) and 'dubh' (black). It is an old Irish surname that has transitioned into a popular given name, associated with 1960s folk-rock musician Donovan.
Name length: 7 letters
How common is Donovan? About 1 in 5,466 babies born in 2025 were named Donovan, or roughly 1.7 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Donovan
What does the name Donovan mean?
Donovan means “Dark warrior, strong fighter” from Irish Gaelic roots.
What is the origin of the name Donovan?
Donovan has Irish Gaelic origin. The traditional meaning is “Dark warrior, strong fighter”.
How popular is Donovan?
Donovan ranked #495 in 2025 — given to 609 babies that year.
When was Donovan most popular?
Donovan peaked in 2003 with 2,211 babies registered that year.
Is Donovan a boy or girl name?
Donovan is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Donovans in registered births are male.
Is the name Donovan rising or falling in popularity?
Donovan has fallen 121 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #374 in 2020 to #495 in 2025.
How long has Donovan been recorded?
Donovan appears in birth records across 125 years — from 1900 through 2025.