Donavan

Meaning of Donavan

It means 'dark brown' or 'dark-haired chief'. This name suggests someone with dark features or a leader.

Donavan has Irish roots — browse every Irish baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Donavan

After ranking as high as #679 in 2002, Donavan has fallen out of the US top 1,000 as of 2025.

Notable people named Donavan

• Donovan Mitchell
  NBA All-Star basketball player
• Donovan Leitch
  Iconic 1960s folk-rock singer
• Donovan McNabb
  Former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback
• Donovan Bailey
  Olympic gold medalist sprinter
• Donovan Scott
  Actor, 'Police Academy' movies

More Irish names

Questions about the name Donavan

What does the name Donavan mean?

Donavan means it means 'dark brown' or 'dark-haired chief'. this name suggests someone with dark features or a leader, and it comes from Irish origins.

Is Donavan a boy's or a girl's name?

Donavan is most commonly used as a boy's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Donavan?

Donavan did not appear in the top 1,000 baby names in 2025, which makes it a genuinely uncommon pick.

When was Donavan most popular?

Donavan peaked at #679 in 2002.