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Donivan

♂ Boy

Pronounced DAH-nih-van /ˈdɑ.nɪ.væn/Medium

Meaning: Donivan reads as a modern respelling of Donovan, an anglicized Irish surname (O Donnabhain) meaning 'descendant of Donndubhan' — from donn ('brown, dark') and dubh ('black'), i.e. 'dark chief / dark one.' As spelled Donivan is a variant; the base is documented, the respelled route we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A steady three-beat name: Donivan restyles Donovan, Irish 'dark chief' (said 'DAH-nih-van'). Base documented, route noted.

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Origin LowIrish, American English

MeaningDonivan reads as a modern respelling of Donovan, an anglicized Irish surname (O Donnabhain) meaning 'descendant of Donndubhan' — from donn ('brown, dark') and dubh ('black'), i.e. 'dark chief / dark one.' As spelled Donivan is a variant; the base is documented, the respelled route we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#12755 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2007

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,175

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Donivan is a modern respelling of Donovan, an anglicized Irish surname (O Donnabhain), 'descendant of Donndubhan,' i.e. 'dark chief' (donn 'brown/dark' + dubh 'black'). As spelled Donivan is a variant; the base is documented, the respelled route we note (said 'DAH-nih-van').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, Irish-rooted, and steady.

Did you know? Donivan respells Donovan — from Irish O Donnabhain, 'dark chief' (donn 'dark' + dubh 'black') — with an -i- swap. A documented Irish base we note (said 'DAH-nih-van').

Overall data confidence 42%

References — Donivan — respelling of Donovan; Irish 'dark chief'

Variations

DonovanDonavanDonnovan

Nicknames

DonDonny

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Donivan…

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Donivan mean?

Donivan is a modern respelling of Donovan, an Irish surname meaning 'dark chief' (donn 'dark' + dubh 'black'). The base is documented; the respelled route we note.

How do you pronounce Donivan?

It's said DAH-nih-van /ˈdɑ.nɪ.væn/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Donivan a boy or girl name?

Donivan is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Donivan?

Donivan is a rare name for boys in the U.S.