Donovan
Meaning of Donovan
Donovan sweeps in like a baritone note from an Irish folk ballad carried across a sun-drenched Italian piazza, his roots anchored in the Gaelic Ó Donnabháin—“descendant of the little dark one”—and his vibe as rich as a fresh pull of espresso. He conjures images of dusk-colored cliffs along the Emerald Isle yet greets the modern world with easy, transatlantic charm; think of the 1960s troubadour strumming “Mellow Yellow,” a fleet-footed soccer legend racing downfield, or even the friendly neighbor who always remembers your nonna’s birthday. Pronounced DAHN-uh-vuhn, Donovan balances weight and whimsy, a handshake that’s firm but sprinkled with wit. His popularity in the United States has ebbed and flowed like the tide of the Adriatic—never vanishing, always returning with renewed energy—hovering comfortably within the top 500 for decades. For parents seeking a name that marries Celtic depth with Mediterranean warmth, Donovan feels like a story told over candlelight and cannoli: timeless, tuneful, and irresistibly inviting.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as DAHN-uh-vuhn (/ˈdɑnəvən/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Donovan
| Donovan McNabb is a former American NFL quarterback and Syracuse star, the 1999 second overall pick who spent 11 seasons with the Eagles and also played for Washington and Minnesota. |
| Donovan Mitchell, nicknamed Spida, is an American NBA star drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2017, a six time All Star and two time All NBA selection now with the Cleveland Cavaliers. |
| Donovan Bailey is a retired Jamaican Canadian sprinter, the 1996 Olympic 100 meter champion and former world record holder, the first Canadian to legally break 10 seconds, later inducted into Canada Sports Hall of Fame and the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. |
| Donovan Peoples-Jones is an American NFL wide receiver and return specialist who played at Michigan and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round in 2020. |
| Donovan Woods is a Canadian folk and country singer-songwriter known for the Juno Award winning album Both Ways. |
| Donovan Kennedy Williams is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Shanghai Sharks and played college basketball at Texas and UNLV. |
| Donovan Slijngard is a Dutch former professional footballer who played left back. |
| Donovan Chapman is an American country artist who released two studio albums with Curb and Category 5 Records and charted four Hot Country Songs singles, led by House Like That which peaked at number 42 in late 2006 and early 2007. |
| Donovan Jeter is an American football nose tackle who played college football for Michigan and since signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2022 has also spent time with the Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, New York Giants, and Houston Roughnecks. |
| Donovan Jackson is an NFL guard for the Minnesota Vikings who won the 2024 national title with Ohio State before being a first round pick in the 2025 draft. |
| Donovan Lloyd Sinclair is a Jamaican right arm leg spin bowler who played for Jamaica in West Indian domestic cricket. |
| Donovan Léon - Donovan Leon is a French Guianese goalkeeper for Ligue 1 club Auxerre. |
| Donovan Ebanks was the Cayman Islands first Deputy Governor, served as acting Governor in 2009 to 2010, and retired in 2012 as its most senior civil servant. |
| Donovan Henry is a South African cricketer who played one first class match in the 1997 to 1998 season and was in the South African squad for the 1998 Under 19 Cricket World Cup. |
| Donovan Williams is a Jamaican Labour Party politician and Kingston Central MP since 2020. |
