Declining since 2001, #5,608 for boys today.
Popularity of Donavon since 1915
Babies named Donavon per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 41 |
| 1920s | 178 |
| 1930s | 300 |
| 1940s | 243 |
| 1950s | 198 |
| 1960s | 307 |
| 1970s | 527 |
| 1980s | 570 |
| 1990s | 1,188 |
| 2000s | 1,271 |
| 2010s | 418 |
| 2020s | 108 |
Meaning & origin
Donavon is a phonetic variant of the well-known Irish surname Donovan, which has been used as a given name in the United States since the early 20th century. The name first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1915, reflecting a period when Irish surnames were gaining popularity as first names. Donavon's peak year was 2000, around which time creative spellings of established names became fashionable. Since 2001, its usage has been in a gradual decline, currently ranking 5,608th in 2025. The name remains rare, with only about 1 in every 106,755 newborn boys receiving it, and it has not recorded significant usage in any particular state. Despite its modest popularity, Donavon appeals to parents seeking an Irish-derived name with a slightly modernized spelling that sets it apart from the more common Donovan.
Donavon is a modern respelling of the Irish surname Donovan, which derives from the Gaelic 'Ó Donndubháin', meaning 'descendant of Donndubhán'. The personal name Donndubhán combines 'donn' (brown, dark) and 'dubh' (black). While the original Irish form has ancient roots, the variant spelling Donavon emerged in the 20th century, likely influenced by phonetic spelling preferences in the United States.
Where Donavon is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Don, Donny, Dono
Sibling names for Donavon
Names that share Donavon's style, for a brother or sister.
