Donovan is a name of Irish origin, derived from the ancient Gaelic name "Domhnall," which is composed of two elements: "domhu" meaning "world" and "naill" meaning "hero." Therefore, Donovan translates to "hero of the world."
The name Domhnall was borne by several historic figures in Ireland, including Domhnall Breac (Donall Brecc), King of Argyle from 1343 to 1370, and Domhnall II, Lord of the Isles from 1424 to 1459. This suggests that the name has been present in Irish history for centuries.
The name Donovan first appeared in England in the late 12th century when Richard de Donnaville was recorded in Northumberland. However, it was not until the 18th century that the name started to spread beyond Ireland and Scotland, becoming more common in other parts of the British Isles and eventually in North America.
In literature, Donovan is also associated with the Irish poet and dramatist Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest" (1895), where one of the main characters is named Jack Worthing, who is later revealed to be called Jack the Absolute Boy by his family nurse, Miss Prism. The name Donovan has been used in various forms throughout history, including Donnell, Donnall, Donavon, and Donavan.
Overall, Donovan is a name with deep roots in Irish history and culture, meaning "hero of the world" and carrying the weight of many historic figures who bore this prestigious name. Despite its ancient origins, Donovan remains a popular choice for parents today, appealing to those looking for a strong, distinctive, yet Approachable Irish name for their son.
The name Donovan has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the past century, with a significant increase in its popularity since the late 1980s.
In the early 1900s, the name Donovan was given to fewer than ten babies each year. This changed in the 1960s when the number of babies named Donovan started to rise significantly. In 1965, there were 132 births with the name Donovan, and by 1967, this number had more than doubled to 283.
The popularity of the name Donovan continued to grow throughout the 1970s and 1980s, reaching a peak in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1991, there were 1059 babies named Donovan, making it one of the most popular names for boys that year.
Since then, the popularity of the name Donovan has fluctuated but remained relatively high. Between 2000 and 2023, the number of babies named Donovan ranged from a low of 649 in 2023 to a high of 2211 in 2003.
Overall, the name Donovan has been given to over 60,000 babies in the United States since 1900, making it a well-established and enduring choice for parents.