Name Donovan
Donovan is a masculine name with Irish, Gaelic origins. It is considered a ubiquitous name that has experienced moderate growth in popularity recently.
Meaning of the name Donovan
Origins and Core Meaning
The name Donovan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic elements "donn", meaning "brown" or "dark", and "chaoin", meaning "gentle" or "wise". It is traditionally given to a baby boy and signifies both a dark-haired individual and a person of noble character.
Detailed Insights on Donovan
Origins
Irish: Donnchadh - Gaelic: "donn" (brown, dark) + "chaoin" (gentle, wise).
Symbolic Representation
The symbolism associated with the name Donovan includes:
- Dark Horse: The element "donn" in the name can symbolize a dark horse, representing someone who is unexpected or underrated but ultimately emerges as a winner.
- Strength and Resilience: The association with dark colors often signifies strength, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenges.
- Wisdom and Intuition: The element "chaoin" suggests a connection to wisdom, intuition, and spiritual awareness.
Personality Traits
Donovan is a name that evokes a sense of warmth, strength, and determination. It is often associated with individuals who are confident, independent, and possess a strong sense of self. The name conveys a sense of dignity and nobility, suggesting a person of substance and integrity.
Key Personality Traits
Personal Meanings of the Name Donovan
Donovan Overview & Analysis
Gender statistics
Donovan is predominantly a boy's name with a strong masculine identity. Among 56,813 people named Donovan, 56,813 are male and 0 is female resulting in a 100% male distribution. This pronounced gender imbalance underscores the name Donovan's strong masculine identity.
Data Explanation
This data is sourced from actual birth records, ensuring that the statistics provided are accurate reflections of real naming trends. The percentage has been rounded up for easier readability, but the underlying figures are grounded in factual data, not estimates. This ensures that the information is both reliable and user-friendly, giving a clear and truthful picture of the name Donovan's gender association.
Popularity
Donovan classified as an ubiquitous name and ranks 992 in the Namedary database. It has experienced moderate growth over the years, and experienced moderate growth recently. The chance of meeting someone named Donovan is nearly 0.02%, or about one in 6,000+ people.
Based on the latest data from 2021 (5), 2022 (5), 2023 (5), Donovan's year-to-year percentage change in popularity is -7.02%. The name Donovan was most popular in 2003, making up 0.07% of baby names (or about one in 1,000+ babies), and reached its lowest point in 1941 with a usage rate of 0.0002%.
Country-Specific Prevalence
| Flag | Country | Rank | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 621 | 0.02% | |
| United States | 935 | 0.02% | |
| Australia | 1,835 | 0.001% | |
| United Kingdom | 2,348 | 0.003% | |
| New Zealand | 23,368 | 0% |
People named Donovan are predominantly found in Canada (CA), particularly in Alberta (AL), where it makes up 0.03% of the population.
Data Source
The data in this section was gathered from a variety of sources, including:
- United States: Social Security Administration (https://www.ssa.gov/)
- Canada: Government of Ontario (https://data.ontario.ca/). Alberta’s top baby names (https://www.alberta.ca/). B.C.'s Most Popular Baby Names (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/)
- United Kingdom: Office for National Statistics (https://www.ons.gov.uk/)
- Australia: Government of South Australia (https://data.sa.gov.au/). Government of New South Wales (https://www.nsw.gov.au/). Northern Territory Government (https://nt.gov.au/)
- New Zealand: New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (https://www.data.govt.nz/)
- Supplemental Sources: To enrich our data-driven approach, we supplement our primary sources with information from credible websites, academic publications, and expert opinions. This ensures that we provide a well-rounded perspective on baby names.
To enhance readability, percentages are rounded up. Values less than 0.0015% have been omitted.
Additional Information on Donovan
Pronunciation and Phonetics
- Name
- Donovan
- Pronunciation
- D-AH-N-uh-v-uh-n
- DAWN-uh-vuhn
- Dono-van
- dono-van
- IPA Notation
- dɑˈnʌvʌn
- Syllable
- Syllable Count:3 Syllables
Chinese Translation of the Name Donovan
- Translation
- 多诺万
- Pronunce
- (PinYin) : duō nuò wàn
- Feng Shui
- 多Fire诺Fire万Water
Donovan in Numerology
| D | O | N | O | V | A | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 1 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
Applying the rules of numerology (Pythagorean numerology):
Donovan's Soul Number (Heart's Desire Number): Number 4
- You actively and honestly explore, learn, and share knowledge with others.
- You strive to bring stability, organization, and order to your family, workplace, and community.
- You desire financial, emotional, and physical stability to lead a safe and secure life.
Donovan's Expression Number (Personality Number): Number 9
- You prioritize humor while slightly downplaying seriousness.
- Exercise caution to prevent misplaced jests and superficial banter.
- Demonstrate adaptability in all aspects of life.
- Embrace greater determination to accomplish tasks in this life, striking a balance between seriousness and lightheartedness.
Donovan's Destiny Number (Life Path Number): Number 4
- You are hardworking, dedicated, loyal, trustworthy, and driven to build highly organized structures that provide long-term value.
- You demonstrate unwavering commitment until the task is completed.
Famous People Named Donovan
- Donovan Phillips Leitch: Scottish singer-songwriter known for his folk-rock music.
- Donovan Mitchell: American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Donovan Bailey: Canadian former sprinter and Olympic gold medalist in the 100-meter dash.
- Donovan McNabb: American former professional football player who played quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Donovan Frankenreiter: American singer-songwriter and surfer known for his laid-back acoustic music.
User-Submitted Information about Donovan
Zen_w3
My name is Donavon Shane Rush and I come from a very Irish family that fled county Cork during the potato famine and was also always told Donavon means dark warrior. I'm always finding that my first name as well as my last..Rush.. And my middle...Shane..(all three ancient Gaelic), is usually attributed to English origin but this is not true. It is of Gaelic origin and later assimilated by the English when they outlawed our language and conquered our people. Just sayin'...
Weilril6
Can also be used for a girl. I've met a few girls with this name.
Plumby07
This is my husband's name. He pronounces it "Don-a-vin", and I've never heard it pronounced "Dun-uh-vin" like an above person says.
As for nicknames, nobody calls him "Donny", but his family endearingly calls him "Donno".
Conclusion
In conclusion, Donovan is a name that embodies nobility, courage, and wisdom. It is a name that conveys a sense of strength, independence, and determination. Whether it be for a baby boy or a man of character, the name Donovan holds a profound significance and will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.
Blood_solid4
There should be an accent on the surname version: Ó Donnabháin. I've never met an Irish-speaker with this first name, but if I did, I would expect it to be spelled Donnabhán in that case, as Donnabháin is the genitive,of Donovan'.
Zscream1144
Why is it from Ó Donnabhain? Shouldn't they just say it's from Donnabhain?
Great name, though. Very masculine and cool. And it is certainly NOT the only Irish name that is so.
Plz_heal_me
I have a book of names that says it means "Dark Warrior".