All about the name

Donovon

Male

« Donovan is an Irish masculine given name derived from the surname Ó Domhnaich, meaning 'descendant of Domhnach' or 'son of the church'. »

#14850 over 5 years

Meaning, origin, history

Donovan is a masculine given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname Ó Domhnaich, which is composed of the elements "domhnach," meaning "of the church," and the diminutive suffix "-án." Therefore, Donovan means "descendant of Domhnach" or "son of the church." The name Donovan has a rich history dating back to medieval Ireland. It was first recorded as a surname in the early 12th century, with records showing that it was brought to Scotland by Norsemen who settled in the Hebrides and on the west coast of Ireland. Over time, Donovan became widely used as a given name in both Ireland and Scotland. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it began to gain popularity in other English-speaking countries, including England, Canada, and the United States. Today, Donovan is considered a classic yet somewhat rare name for boys. It has been consistently ranked among the top 1,000 names for boys in the United States since the 1980s but remains relatively uncommon compared to more popular names like John or Michael. Some notable individuals with the name Donovan include Canadian singer-songwriter Donovan Woods and American football coach Bob Donovan. However, it is important to note that this information does not pertain to any specific characteristics associated with people named Donovan. In summary, Donovan is an Irish surname-turned-given-name that means "descendant of Domhnach" or "son of the church." With its rich history dating back centuries and roots in medieval Ireland, Donovan has become a classic yet relatively uncommon name for boys in English-speaking countries around the world.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Donovon since 1880

Total births
660
Total since 1880
Peak year
1999
34 births
in 2020
8
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-53%
vs previous 5 years